LAS VEGAS – Ilir Latifi may not have succeeded in his UFC heavyweight debut, but he plans on staying in the division.
Latifi (14-8 MMA, 7-6 UFC) faced knockout artist Derrick Lewis at February’s UFC 247, going the full three rounds in a fight that he was largely able to use his grappling to stifle the legendary power of “The Black Beast.” Still, officials awarded the fight to Lewis, a disappointing result for Latifi, who was adamant that he was robbed by the judges.
Despite the loss, Latifi plans on taking some time to get accustomed to the weight class and wants to continue chasing after the biggest guys on the roster.
“I’m taking my time to getting used to this division,” Latifi said at a recent Dominance MMA media day. “I had some complications before the fight, and I just pushed on. I needed this fight, it was a big matchup, and I look forward fighting in this division.
“I started my career in heavyweight, and I will probably finish in heavyweight, but I’m a person that loves challenges. I’ve been an underdog all my life, so I could go down to 205 later in the future, too, but right now, I see myself fighting in the heavyweight division. I’m coming for the biggest guys in the division. I’m a giant slayer, so you know it.”
The fight with Lewis might be a loss on his record, but Latifi said he still banked many positives, making him confident that he can take on the division’s best.
“Right now, just focusing on getting used to the division, and I see myself coming back as soon as possible as I’m ready,” Latifi said. “I don’t see this fight as a loss. I beat a top-five contender in the heavyweight division, a guy that finished a lot of guys in the first round, and to be honest, I think I controlled him pretty easy, three rounds.”
To hear more from Latifi, check out the video above.
