Ilir Latifi

Ilir Latifi (born July 28, 1983) is a Swedish professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC. He has also formerly competed for the Shark Fights organization.

Background
Latifi was born and raised in Malmo, Sweden. His parents are both Albanians who are originally from Kosovo before they immigrated to Sweden in the 1970s. Latifi began wrestling when he was six years old and excelled at the sport, specializing in Greco-Roman wrestling and going on to compete for the national team where he won multiple championships and was also a ADCC European Qualifiers Champion. Latifi also won the Junior Nordic Championships in 2001 in the 96 kg weight class.

Early career
Latifi made his professional debut when he was 26 years old in 2008 in Bulgaria. The bout ended 55 seconds into the first round when the ring broke and it was officially declared a no-contest.

Latifi then won his next three fights before being handed his first career professional loss at the hands of Japanese fighter Tatsuya Mizuno via TKO in the beginning of the third round.

Shark Fights
After picking up a TKO win, Latifi was signed by Shark Fights and made his debut for the organization against current Bellator fighter Emanuel Newton. Latifi lost the bout via unanimous decision before bouncing back with three consecutive wins which included a win over Tony Lopez.

UFC
Latifi made his UFC debut on April 6, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden, and was the main-event at UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi. Latifi faced former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion, former DREAM Light Heavyweight Champion, and former DREAM Middleweight Champion, Gegard Mousasi, who was also making his UFC debut. Latifi was a replacement for Mousasi's original opponent and Latifi's fellow countryman, Alexander Gustafsson. Latifi lost the bout via unanimous decision but was praised by UFC President Dana White for taking a bout with a big-name opponent on short notice. Latifi also had to cut 26 pounds three days before the fight to make weight.