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Heavyweight Division

Not Fighting

"The Sledgehammer"

Ilir Latifi

Heavyweight Division

17-9-0 (W-L-D)

6

Wins by Knockout

5

Wins by Submission

9

First Round Finishes

Ilir Latifi

athlete record

Info

Learn more about Ilir Latifi's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.

Status
Not Fighting
Place of Birth
Albania
Trains at
Allstars Training Center - Stockholm, Sweden
Fighting style
Wrestling
Age
40
Height
70.00
Weight
249.50
Octagon Debut
Apr. 6, 2013
Reach
73.50
Leg reach
41.00
  • Pro since 2008

     
  • Five wins by submission (2 guillotine, keylock, armbar, undisclosed submission), six by knockout

     
  • 7-5 in his last 12

     
  • Four UFC fight at heavyweights (2-2)

     
  • Nine first round finishes

UFC Fight Night (5/20/23) Latifi lost a three round split decision to Rodrigo Nascimento 

UFC Fight Night (10/1/22) Latifi won a three round unanimous decision over Aleksei Oleinik

UFC Fight Night (6/5/21) Latifi won a three round split decision over Tanner Boser

UFC 247 (2/8/20) Latifi lost a three round unanimous decision to Derrick Lewis

UFC Fight Night (8/10/19) Latifi was knocked out by Volkan Oezdemir at 4:31 of the second round

UFC 232 (12/29/18) Latifi lost a three round unanimous decision to Corey Anderson

UFC on FOX (2/24/18) Latifi submitted Ovince Saint Preux via guillotine choke at 3:48 of the first round

UFC 215 (9/9/17) Latifi won a three round unanimous decision over Tyson Pedro

UFC Fight Night (9/3/16) Latifi was knocked out by Ryan Bader at 2:06 of the second round

UFC 196 (3/5/16) Latifi won a three round unanimous decision over Gian Villante

UFC Fight Night (1/17/16) Latifi knocked out Sean O’Connell at :28 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (7/18/15) Latifi knocked out Hans Stringer at :56 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (10/4/14) Latifi was stopped by Jan Blachowicz via strikes at 1:58 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (7/19/14) Latifi knocked out Chris Dempsey at 2:07 of the first round

UFC Fight Night (3/8/14) Latifi submitted Cyrille Diabate via guillotine choke at 3:02 of the first round

UFC on FUEL TV (4/6/13) Latifi lost a three round unanimous decision to Gegard Mousasi

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started fighting MMA 13 years ago to reach a new level after I stopped with wrestling.



What ranks and titles have you held? National team wrestler, Nordic champion, ADCC European champion, Superior Challenge champion



Do you have any heroes? Muhammad Ali



What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? Becoming the UFC champion has always been my dream. It feels great to finally be here and taking the first step towards that goal.



Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Sportscience University



What was your job before you started fighting? Teaching wrestling and MMA



Favorite grappling technique: Leg lock



Favorite Striking technique: Right hook