Ilir Latifi
Ilir Latifi | |||||||||||||||
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Latifi at UFC 232 in 2018 | |||||||||||||||
Born | Malmö, Sweden | July 28, 1983||||||||||||||
Other names | The Sledgehammer | ||||||||||||||
Residence | Stockholm, Sweden | ||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | ||||||||||||||
Weight | 253 lb (115 kg; 18.1 st) | ||||||||||||||
Division | Heavyweight (2008, 2020–present) Light Heavyweight (2009–2019) | ||||||||||||||
Reach | 73+1⁄2 in (187 cm)[1] | ||||||||||||||
Style | Submission Wrestling | ||||||||||||||
Fighting out of | Stockholm, Sweden[2] | ||||||||||||||
Team | Allstars Training Center Pancrase Gym Sweden American Top Team Malmö Tigers (Wrestling) | ||||||||||||||
Trainer | Selman Berisha | ||||||||||||||
Wrestling | Swedish national level[3] | ||||||||||||||
Years active | 2008–present | ||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record | |||||||||||||||
Total | 26 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 16 | ||||||||||||||
By knockout | 6 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 4 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 6 | ||||||||||||||
Losses | 9 | ||||||||||||||
By knockout | 4 | ||||||||||||||
By decision | 5 | ||||||||||||||
No contests | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Amateur record | |||||||||||||||
Total | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Wins | 1 | ||||||||||||||
By submission | 1 | ||||||||||||||
Other information | |||||||||||||||
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Ilir Latifi (born July 28, 1983)[4] is a Swedish mixed martial artist of Albanian origin who fights in the Heavyweight division, most recently in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.[5] A two-time national wrestling champion[6] and a professional MMA competitor since 2008, Latifi has also competed in Shark Fights, Rumble of The Kings, and GLORY.[7]
Mixed martial arts career
[edit]Background
[edit]With a considerable number of wrestlers in his family, Latifi began wrestling at a young age.[8] Latifi continued to wrestle in order to pursue his dream of one day being world champion.[8] In 2005, he began to follow in his older brother's footsteps by training MMA as a result of his dissatisfaction with the constant rule changes in wrestling.[8][9] Latifi competed at the 2005 ADCC European trials, where his division was won by Alistair Overeem,[10] but he did not earn a spot at the 2005 ADCC championships. Although Latifi did not compete at the 2009 ADCC European Trials, he was invited to the 2009 ADCC Championships, where he lost in the first round to Alexandre Ribeiro via points (2–0).[11]
Early career
[edit]Latifi started his career as a heavyweight. His first professional MMA fight was on May 17, 2008, with the Real Pain Challenge promotion against future Bellator fighter and WSOF Heavyweight champion Blagoi Ivanov. However, the fight was ruled a no contest 55 seconds into the first round, as Latifi drove Ivanov into one of the posts on the ring and destroyed it.[12]
Next he fought future UFC heavyweight Christian Colombo on September 6, 2008. The bout was first booked as a professional contest, but would later be changed to an amateur or semi-pro bout which is not listed on the fighters professional records. Latifi won the fight by submission due to a north–south choke in the first round. Back in professional competition Latifi had his last fight as a heavyweight, before dropping down to light heavyweight, on October 25, 2008, at Superior Challenge 2, where he defeated Roman Mihocka by knockout in the second round.
He holds a notable win over MMA- and kickboxing veteran Tony Lopez. Lopez came in to the fight on a 7-fight winning streak. Latifi used his superior wrestling and also his improved striking to shut Lopez down to win a unanimous decision. He has also fought against former Bellator Light Heavyweight champion and former MFC Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton and Tatsuya Mizuno. His early career success has led to Latifi being ranked as one of the top Light Heavyweights in Europe.[13][14]
He became the first Superior Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion after defeating Jorge Oliveira for the vacant belt on October 6, 2012, at Superior Challenge 8.[15]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
[edit]Latifi made his UFC debut against at the time #10 ranked, former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi on April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9, on four days notice,[16] reportedly cutting weight from 105 kg (231 lbs) to 93.4 kg (206 lbs),[17] replacing his injured training partner Alexander Gustafsson.[18] Latifi lost the fight via unanimous decision.[16] After the fight UFC President Dana White praised Latifi for taking a fight against a top 10 fighter like Mousasi on such short notice and promised that Latifi would get another fight in the promotion.[19]
In his second fight for the promotion, Latifi fought MMA- and kickboxing veteran Cyrille Diabaté on March 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 37.[20] Latifi won the fight via submission in the first round.[21] His opponent, Diabaté retired from MMA and the UFC following his loss to Latifi.[22]
Latifi was later expected to face Tom Lawlor on July 19, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 46.[23] However, Lawlor later had to withdraw from the bout citing an injury,[24] and was replaced by promotional newcomer Chris Dempsey.[25] Latifi effectively used leg kicks to disable his opponent, before finishing him with punches, ending the fight via first-round knockout.[26][27]
Latifi faced promotional newcomer Jan Błachowicz on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53.[28] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.[29][30]
Latifi next faced Hans Stringer on July 18, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 72.[31] He won the fight by knockout after dropping Stringer with an overhand right and following up with punches on the ground, stopping the fight 56 seconds into the first round.[32]
Latifi faced Sean O'Connell on January 17, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 81.[33] He won the fight by knockout, having landed a vicious overhand right that wobbled O'Connell, followed by a right hook that dropped him to the canvas, 28 seconds into the first round.[34][35] Following the fight, Latifi expressed his desire to fight in a main event in his hometown Malmö.[36]
Latifi faced Gian Villante on March 5, 2016, at UFC 196.[37] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[38]
Latifi next faced Ryan Bader on September 3, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 93.[39] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[40]
Latifi was expected to face Antônio Rogério Nogueira on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112.[41] However, on May 17, it was announced that Nogueira pulled out due to a neck injury. Subsequently, despite having six weeks to secure a replacement opponent, promotion officials elected to remove Latifi from the event entirely.[42]
Latifi faced undefeated prospect Tyson Pedro on September 9, 2017, at UFC 215.[43][44] He won the fight via unanimous decision, handing Pedro the first loss of his career.[45]
Latifi was expected to face Ovince Saint Preux on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27.[46] However, he was injured during a training session and was forced to pull from the event,[47] and the bout was cancelled.[48] The pair was rebooked and took place on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28.[49] Latifi won the fight via submission in the first round.[50] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[51][52]
Latifi was expected to face Glover Teixeira on July 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134.[53] However, on July 5, 2018, it was announced that he was pulled from the event, citing injury.[54]
Latifi faced Corey Anderson on December 29, 2018, at UFC 232.[55] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[56]
Latifi was expected to face Volkan Oezdemir on June 1, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.[57] On May 30, 2019, it was reported that Latifi was forced to pull out of the event due to back injury and the bout was cancelled.[58] The pair was rebooked at UFC on ESPN 5 on August 3, 2019.[59][60] In turn, due to Oezdemir having visa issues to enter United States, the bout was moved to August 10, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 156.[61] He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.[62]
Move up to heavyweight
[edit]On October 14, 2019, news surfaced that Latifi will be moving up to heavyweight division.[63]
Latifi faced Derrick Lewis on February 8, 2020, at UFC 247.[64] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[65]
Latifi faced Tanner Boser on June 5, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai.[66] He won the fight via split decision.[67]
Latifi was next expected to face Alexander Romanov at UFC Fight Night 202 on February 19, 2022.[68] However, the bout was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.[69]
Latifi was scheduled to face Alexey Oleynik on March 26, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 205.[70] However, the day of the event, Latifi withdrew due to illness and the bout was cancelled.[71] The pair was rescheduled to meet on two weeks later at UFC 273 on April 9, 2022.[71] In turn, Latifi withdrew again for unknown reasons and was replaced by Jared Vanderaa.[72] The pair was yet again rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 211 on October 1, 2022.[73] Latifi won the bout via unanimous decision.[74] In the post-fight interview he said that, having reached the age of 40 and the end of his UFC contract, he was unsure of his future in the sport, and that it might have been his last fight.[75] In the same interview he revealed fighting with possible staph infection which he didn't disclose to the athletic commission and was later suspended for three months, making him eligible to return on January 1, 2023.[76]
Latifi faced Rodrigo Nascimento on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223.[77] He lost the fight via split decision.[78]
After the loss, Latifi completed his UFC contract and was not re-signed.[79]
Personal life
[edit]Of Albanian origin, Latifi's parents emigrated from Kosovo in the 1960s.[80][81] Latifi was raised in Rosengård, where he befriended football player Zlatan Ibrahimović.[80] His brother Arben, who Ilir has described as his greatest influence in life,[82] is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and was one of the pioneers of Swedish MMA in the early days, winning both the championship in European Open BJJ and the Panamerican Championship during his active career.[83]
In 2016, Latifi was awarded role model of the year and received the most votes for the people's choice award in the annual Swedish martial arts awards ceremony Kampsportsgalan.[84]
Championships and accomplishments
[edit]Mixed martial arts
[edit]- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Ovince Saint Preux[85]
- Tied (Anthony Johnson & Volkan Oezdemir) for most Light Heavyweight stoppage victories in less than one minute in UFC history (2)[86]
- Superior Challenge
- Superior Challenge Light Heavyweight Championship (One time; First)[87]
Submission wrestling
[edit]- Abu Dhabi Combat Club
- 2003 ADCC European Championships
- 2004 ADCC European Qualifiers Winner[88]
- 2003 ADCC European Championships
Amateur wrestling
[edit]- Nordic Wrestling Association
- Swedish Wrestling Federation
- 2005 Swedish National Light Heavyweight Greco-Roman Championship
[90]
- 2005 Swedish National Light Heavyweight Greco-Roman Championship
Mixed martial arts record
[edit]26 matches | 16 wins | 9 losses |
By knockout | 6 | 4 |
By submission | 4 | 0 |
By decision | 6 | 5 |
No contests | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 16–9 (1) | Rodrigo Nascimento | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill | May 20, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 16–8 (1) | Aleksei Oleinik | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan | October 1, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 15–8 (1) | Tanner Boser | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai | June 5, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Loss | 14–8 (1) | Derrick Lewis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 247 | February 8, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Return to Heavyweight. |
Loss | 14–7 (1) | Volkan Oezdemir | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 | August 10, 2019 | 2 | 4:31 | Montevideo, Uruguay | |
Loss | 14–6 (1) | Corey Anderson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 232 | December 29, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | |
Win | 14–5 (1) | Ovince Saint Preux | Technical Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens | February 24, 2018 | 1 | 3:48 | Orlando, Florida, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 13–5 (1) | Tyson Pedro | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 215 | September 9, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | |
Loss | 12–5 (1) | Ryan Bader | KO (knee) | UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett | September 3, 2016 | 2 | 2:06 | Hamburg, Germany | |
Win | 12–4 (1) | Gian Villante | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 196 | March 5, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 11–4 (1) | Sean O'Connell | KO (punch) | UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz | January 17, 2016 | 1 | 0:30 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
Win | 10–4 (1) | Hans Stringer | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites | July 18, 2015 | 1 | 0:56 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
Loss | 9–4 (1) | Jan Błachowicz | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story | October 4, 2014 | 1 | 1:58 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
Win | 9–3 (1) | Chris Dempsey | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao | July 19, 2014 | 1 | 2:07 | Dublin, Ireland | |
Win | 8–3 (1) | Cyrille Diabaté | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa | March 8, 2014 | 1 | 3:02 | London, England | |
Loss | 7–3 (1) | Gegard Mousasi | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi | April 6, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
Win | 7–2 (1) | Jorge Oliveira | Decision (unanimous) | Superior Challenge 8 | October 6, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Malmö, Sweden | Won the SC Light Heavyweight Championship. |
Win | 6–2 (1) | Tony Lopez | Decision (unanimous) | Glory 1: Stockholm | May 26, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
Win | 5–2 (1) | Denis Bogdanov | Submission (americana) | United Glory 15 | March 23, 2012 | 1 | 0:51 | Moscow, Russia | |
Loss | 4–2 (1) | Emanuel Newton | Decision (unanimous) | Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2 | July 15, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Frisco, Texas, United States | |
Win | 4–1 (1) | Matteo Minonzio | TKO (head kick) | Strength and Honor Championship 2 | April 10, 2010 | 1 | 4:29 | Geneva, Switzerland | |
Loss | 3–1 (1) | Tatsuya Mizuno | TKO (knee and punches) | Rumble of the Kings 4 | November 20, 2009 | 3 | 0:15 | Norrköping, Sweden | |
Win | 3–0 (1) | Darko Krbanjevic | Submission (armbar) | Rumble of the Kings 3 | May 22, 2009 | 1 | 1:43 | Malmö, Sweden | |
Win | 2–0 (1) | Luis Pinho | TKO (submission to punches) | Rumble of the Kings 2 | February 27, 2009 | 1 | 1:20 | Norrköping, Sweden | Light Heavyweight debut. |
Win | 1–0 (1) | Roman Mihocka | KO (punches) | Superior Challenge 2 | October 25, 2008 | 2 | 1:55 | Stockholm, Sweden | |
NC | 0–0 (1) | Blagoy Ivanov | NC (ring broke) | Real Pain Challenge 2 | May 17, 2008 | 1 | 0:55 | Sofia, Bulgaria | Heavyweight debut. Fight ruled a no contest due to faulty cage. |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Christian Colombo | Submission (north-south choke) | Adrenaline 3 - Evolution | September 6, 2008 | 1 | 2:33 | Hvidovre, Denmark | Heavyweight bout; originally scheduled as a professional contest, later changed to an amateur bout[91] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Bisping vs. Leites". UFC.com. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
- ^ John Morgan (September 10, 2017). "UFC 215 results: Ilir Latifi's wrestling hands Tyson Pedro first pro loss". MMAjunkie. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ Duane Finley (April 5, 2013). "Ilir Latifi Looking to Seize the Moment at UFC on Fuel TV 9 in Sweden". Bleacher Report.
- ^ "Ilir".
- ^ "Ilir Latifi removed from UFC roster after completing most recent Contract". MMA Fighting. June 5, 2023.
- ^ "Dagens gäst: "Jag är lugnet innan stormen"". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). SVT.se. July 27, 2014.
- ^ "Ilir "The Sledgehammer" Latifi MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". Sherdog. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ a b c "FIGHTLIFE OF ILIR LATIFI - EPISODE 1". KatlaStudios. May 24, 2012.
- ^ "FIGHTLIFE OF ILIR LATIFI - EPISODE 3". KatlaStudios. January 17, 2013.
- ^ "2005 ADCC European champions". Archived from the original on August 8, 2014.retrieved 4/8/13
- ^ "ADCC 2009 results".retrieved on 4/8/13
- ^ "blagoi ivanov vs ilir latifi". VBOX7. January 8, 2010.
- ^ "Current MMA Rankings >> Light Heavyweight". FightMatrix.com. March 31, 2013.
- ^ "MMA Viking's Official Nordic Top 5 Rankings (January Update)". MMAviking.com. January 15, 2013. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
- ^ "Superior Challenge 8 Fight Card". Sherdog.com. October 6, 2012.
- ^ a b "Gegard Mousasi plans surgery following UFC on FUEL TV 9 victory". MMAjunkie. April 7, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ Jaser Davari (April 5, 2013). "Ilir Latifi bantade bort 12 kg på tre dagar | MMA i Sverige och Världen" (in Swedish). kimura.se. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ Tim Burke (April 2, 2013). "UFC on Fuel 9: Gegard Mousasi meets Ilir Latifi, training partner of Gustafsson". Bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
- ^ "Despite lopsided loss Ilir Latifi will get another UFC fight". mmajunkie.com. April 6, 2013.
- ^ "Cyrille Diabate vs Ilir Latifi added to the UFC's return to London I March". sports.yahoo.com. November 29, 2013.
- ^ John Morgan (March 8, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 37 results: Ilir Latifi scores emotional submission win over Cyrille Diabate". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Erik Fontanez. "Cyrille Diabate Retires from UFC and Combat Sports Following Loss at UFC London". MMAWeekly. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night in Dublin adds McCall-Pickett, Latifi-Lawlor, Harris-Serry, Donovan-Krylov". mmajunkie.com. April 29, 2014.
- ^ John Morgan (July 1, 2014). "Tom Lawlor out at UFC Fight Night 46, promotion seeking replacement foe for Ilir Latifi". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ "Newcomer Chris Dempsey meets Ilir Latifi at UFC Fight Night 46". July 3, 2014.
- ^ Matt Erickson (July 19, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 46 results: Ilir Latifi shuts down Chris Dempsey in first round". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Alex Schlinsky (July 19, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 46 results: Ilir Latifi knocks out Chris Dempsey early". fansided.com.
- ^ John Barry (July 30, 2014). "Latifi meets newcomer Błachowicz at UFC Stockholm". UFC.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
- ^ Dann Stupp (October 4, 2014). "UFC Fight Night 53 results: Jan Blachowicz crushes Ilir Latifi with body kick". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Mookie Alexander (October 4, 2014). "UFC Fight Night Stockholm results: Wilkinson stuns Backstrom with KO, Blachowicz liver shot stops Latifi". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ Jesse Holland (May 18, 2015). "Three new bouts set for UFC Fight Night 72 on July 18 in Glasgow, Scotland". mmamania.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ^ Brent Brookhouse (July 18, 2015). "UFC Fight Night 72 results: 'Sledgehammer' Ilir Latifi lives up to name vs Hans Stringer". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ^ "Boston's UFC Fight Night 81 adds Ilir Latifi vs. Sean O'Connell light heavyweight scrap". mmajunkie.com. October 29, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ Ben Fowlkes (January 17, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 81 results: Ilir Latifi stuns Sean O'Connell with quick knockout". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
- ^ "Video: Ilir Latifi blasts Sean O'Connell with a vicious right hook". MMA Fighting. January 17, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ "Ilir Latifi Wants to Main Event a UFC in Malmö, Sweden". Nordic MMA Everyday at MMA Viking. January 18, 2016. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ Dann Stupp (January 29, 2016). "With 48-day turnaround, Ilir Latifi meets Gian Villante at UFC 196 in Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
- ^ "UFC 196 results: Ilir Latifi grinds out decision over Gian Villante". mmajunkie.com. March 5, 2016.
- ^ Jesse Holland (May 26, 2016). "Ryan Bader vs Ilir Latifi on tap for UFC Fight Night event on Sept. 3 in Germany". mmamania.com. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
- ^ Bent Brookhouse (September 3, 2016). "UFC Fight Night 93 results: Ryan Bader lays out Ilir Latifi with crushing knee". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Staff (March 23, 2017). "Ilir Latifi vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira added to UFC Fight Night 112 in Oklahoma City". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
- ^ Guilherme Cruz (May 17, 2017). "'Minotouro' Nogueira injured, out of UFC Fight Night 112 fight with Ilir Latifi". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
- ^ Johan Taliercio (June 28, 2017). "Ilir Latifi ready for new match - get unreserved opponent on UFC 215" (in Swedish). mmanytt.se. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
- ^ Mookie Alexander (June 29, 2017). "Ilir Latifi vs. Tyson Pedro set for UFC 215". bloodyelbow.com.
- ^ "UFC 215 results: Ilir Latifi's wrestling hands Tyson Pedro first pro loss". mmajunkie.com. September 9, 2017.
- ^ Théoden Janes (November 13, 2017). "UFC reveals names of fighters who'll face off in January in Charlotte". charlotteobserver.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
- ^ Jordan Breen. "Ovince St. Preux Says UFC on Fox 27 Opponent Ilir Latifi Injured, Out of Scheduled Jan. 27 Fight". Sherdog. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
- ^ Alexander K. Lee. "Ovince Saint Preux, Ilir Latifi confirm that UFC on FOX 27 bout is off". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "Ovince Saint Preux vs. Ilir Latifi rebooked for UFC on FOX 28 in Orlando". MMAjunkie. January 18, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
- ^ "UFC on FOX 28 results: Ilir Latifi puts Ovince Saint Preux to sleep with first-round choke". MMAjunkie. February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ "UFC on FOX 28 bonuses: Jeremy Stephens' violent KO gets him $50,000". MMAjunkie. February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
- ^ Stephie Haynes (February 24, 2018). "UFC on FOX 28 post-fight bonuses: Ilir Latifi puts OSP to sleep, wins $50K extra". bloodyelbow.com.
- ^ "Glover Teixeira faces Sweden's Ilir Latifi at UFC Hamburg on July 22". sportv.globo.com (in Portuguese). April 23, 2018. Archived from the original on April 24, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
- ^ "Ilir Latifi out of UFC Hamburg co-main event against Glover Teixeira". MMAjunkie. July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
- ^ Dorff, Marcel (August 27, 2018). "Ilir Latifi keert terug tegen Corey Anderson tijdens UFC 232 in Las Vegas". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Myers, Thomas (December 29, 2018). "UFC 232 results: Corey Anderson outworks Ilir Latifi, wins unanimous decision". MMAmania.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (March 25, 2019). "Ilir Latifi vs. Volkan Oezdemir added to UFC Stockholm". sherdog.com. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
- ^ "Ilir Latifi injured, bout vs. Volkan Oezdemir scratched from UFC Stockholm". MMA Junkie. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
- ^ "Volkan Oezdemir vs Ilir Latifi re-booked for UFC on ESPN 5". MMAnytt.com. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- ^ Nolan King (June 25, 2019). "Latifi vs. Oezdemir, Miller vs. Guida among 11 fights for UFC on ESPN 5". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Adam Guillen Jr. (July 18, 2019). "Report: Visa issues force Volkan Oezdemir vs Ilir Latifi to move to UFC Uruguay". mmamania.com. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ Harshman, Heath (August 10, 2019). "UFC Uruguay Results: Volkan Oezdemir Takes Out Ilir Latifi With Second Round Knockout". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ John Morgan (October 14, 2019). "UFC's Ilir Latifi moving back to heavyweight for first time in over 10 years". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Adam Guillen Jr. (December 17, 2019). "UFC 247: Derrick Lewis surprised Ilir latifi wanted to fight the 'fattest guy' in Heavyweight debut". mmamania.com.
- ^ Doherty, Dan (February 8, 2020). "UFC 247 Results: Late Surge Gives Derrick Lewis Decision Over Ilir Latifi". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
- ^ Dorff, Marcel (March 12, 2021). "Tanner Boser treft Ilir Latifi tijdens UFC evenement op 5 juni". MMA DNA (in Dutch). Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (June 5, 2021). "UFC Vegas 28 Results: Ilir Latifi Inches Past Tanner Boser in Close Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (December 28, 2021). "UFC: Ilir Latifi vs. Alexander Romanov Announced for February 19". Cageside Press. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (February 4, 2022). "With Romanov Fight Off, Ilir Latifi Gets Aleksei Oleinik at UFC Columbus". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (February 4, 2022). "With Romanov Fight Off, Ilir Latifi Gets Aleksei Oleinik at UFC Columbus". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Alexander K. Lee (March 26, 2022). "Ilir Latifi out of Aleksei Oleinik fight at UFC Columbus". mmafighting.com. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
- ^ Lee, Alexander K. (March 31, 2022). "Aleksei Oleinik now fights Jared Vanderaa at UFC 273, Ilir Latifi out". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
- ^ Nolan King (August 29, 2022). "Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Aug. 22-28)". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (October 1, 2022). "UFC Vegas 61: Ilir Latifi Avoids Aleksei Oleinik's Submission Game, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ Matt Erickson (October 3, 2022). "Ilir Latifi teases retirement after UFC Fight Night 211 win over Aleksei Oleinik". mmajunkie.com.
- ^ Nolan King (November 16, 2022). "Nevada suspends Ilir Latifi three months, sets precedent for athletes competing with non-disclosed injury or illness". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ "Ilir Latifi meets Rodrigo Nascimento at heavyweight for UFC Fight Night on May 20th". FightBookMMA.com. February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (May 20, 2023). "UFC Vegas 73: Rodrigo Nascimento Claims Second Straight Split Decision, Over Ilir Latifi". Cageside Press. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Martin, Damon (June 5, 2023). "Ilir Latifi removed from UFC roster after completing most recent contract". MMA Fighting. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ a b Jenny Modin. "MMA-fajtern Latifi har Zlatan som förebild - Sport | SVT.se" (in Swedish). svt.se. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ "The MMA Hour - 326 - Ilir Latifi". mmafighting.com. April 26, 2016.
- ^ "FIGHTLIFE OF ILIR LATIFI - EPISODE 2". KatlaStudios. September 27, 2012.
- ^ "Meet Swedish pioneer Arben Latifi". mmaviking.com. September 11, 2012.
- ^ Fredrik Jönsson. "De tog hem priserna vid Kampsportsgalan" (in Swedish). Aftonbladet.se. Retrieved June 10, 2016.
- ^ "UFC on Fox 28 bonuses: Stephens, Latifi, Jouban, Saunders earn $50K awards". sherdog.com. February 24, 2018.
- ^ "UFC 196 pre-fight facts". mmajunkie.com. March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Superior Challenge 8 Results". superiorchallenge.com. October 6, 2012. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014.
- ^ "European Qualifiers to Abu-Dhabi-Invitations are out". Archived from the original on July 29, 2014. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
- ^ Åkesson, Av Bertil (June 18, 2001). "Agusi tog NM-brons - Kristianstadsbladet".
- ^ a b "Superior Challenge – Latifi vs. Hama – Fighter Magazine". Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved November 14, 2015.
- ^ "MMABloggen » Blog Archive » Ilir Latifi gör debut". www.mmabloggen.se.
- ^ Sherdog.com. "Ilir". Sherdog. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
External links
[edit]- Living people
- Swedish male mixed martial artists
- Light heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Heavyweight mixed martial artists
- Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing
- Mixed martial artists utilizing Greco-Roman wrestling
- Swedish male sport wrestlers
- Amateur wrestlers
- 1983 births
- Swedish people of Albanian descent
- Sportspeople from Malmö
- Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
- Kosovan people of Albanian descent
- Kosovo Albanians