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Ilir Latifi
Heavyweight · “The Sledgehammer”

Ilir Latifi

16-9-0 (1 NC) UFC 9-7-0
Positional Grappler Hard To Take Down
5'10"Height
73"Reach
OrthodoxStance
44Age
3KO wins
2Sub wins
55.6%Finish rate
9:18Avg fight

Skill profile

Rated 0–100 · where 138 MMA has read him, his grades and tags set each axis and the stats only nudge inside his band · stats alone where he is silent · the rim is reserved for specialists
Striking — Below avg, rated 30 of 100 · tag ko power: good (+3) · claims striking power +2, striking volume -1 (+3) Accuracy — Average, rated 49 of 100 · stats only — nothing in his reads bears on this axis Striking D — Average, rated 64 of 100 · stats only — nothing in his reads bears on this axis Durability — Below avg, rated 39 of 100 · stats only — nothing in his reads bears on this axis Wrestling — Average, rated 69 of 100 · 138 MMA whiteboard: wrestling good · May 2023 · stats read 80 → nudged +8 inside the band · claims td offense +2 (+4) TD Defense — Above avg, rated 76 of 100 · 138 MMA whiteboard: wrestling good (no takedown-defence tag), half-weighted with the stats read 95 Grappling — Average, rated 53 of 100 · stats only — nothing in his reads bears on this axis Control — Above avg, rated 83 of 100 · claims top control +1 (+4) Striking Accuracy Striking D Durability Wrestling TD Defense Grappling Control
striking not yet read
grappling not yet read
wrestling good whiteboard
1 analyst read graded this phase
  • good UFC Fight Night Dern vs Hill Predictions & Full Card Breakdown (UFC Vegas 73) · May 16, 2023 · whiteboard watch ↗
cardio not yet read
durability not yet read
striking not yet read
grappling not yet read
wrestling good 1 read · whiteboard
cardio not yet read
durability not yet read

138 MMA anchors Wrestling · his tags and claims adjust Striking, TD Defense, Control · stats alone on Accuracy, Striking D, Durability, Grappling.

Positional Grappler above avg control — rates 83 of 100 · claims top control +1 (+4)
Hard To Take Down above avg td defense — rates 76 of 100 · 138 MMA whiteboard: wrestling good (no takedown-defence tag), half-weighted with the stats read 95
Career rates — the raw numbers behind the chart
Sig. strikes landed / min2.05
Sig. strikes absorbed / min2.93
Striking accuracy45.2%
Striking defense56.3%
Knockdowns / 15 min0.4
Takedowns / 15 min2.11
Takedown accuracy35.6%
Takedown defense100.0%
Sub attempts / 15 min0.3
Control time30.1%
Record vs .500+ opponents6-4

Insider info

2 analyst reads · 138 MMA · our paraphrase, never his words
vs Rodrigo Nascimento lean UFC Fight Night Dern vs Hill Predictions & Full Card Breakdown (UFC Vegas 73) · May 16, 2023

says he feels decent about the pick, not stronger language than that

A wrestler who throws powerful single shots and looks to drag the bout to the canvas, where he is content to control position without doing much more rather than risk being stood back up by the referee. At a ten-year age disadvantage and giving up height and reach in this matchup.

Strengthgood top-position wrestling control
Strengthpowerful single-shot punching power
Weaknessthrows mostly single shots, not combinations
Weaknessage, height and reach disadvantage in this matchup
ko power · good
vs Aleksei Oleinik coinflip UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Dern vs Yan Full Card Analysis, Preview, and Prediction · September 28, 2022 · 1 read since

Two distinct, explicit hedges, both about the outcome rather than price: he repeats that he isn't confident in either man, and separately says he can't be confident backing a 45-year-old at this level. This is outcome doubt, separate from his also-present value argument about the betting line being generous, which is a price/wager-caution signal and does not by itself demote. Both signals are noted because the rule requires flagging both kinds of hedge where present, but the repeated, explicit lack of confidence is decisive for the grade.

Rendered 'TV' / 'the TV' throughout by ASR, resolved via the board's wrestling/top-pressure bullet matching the spoken content exactly. Strong wrestling and top pressure are his best tools, but he lacks volume on the feet and is described as a more straightforward, offense-only grappler compared to Oleinik.

Strengthstrong wrestling and top pressure
Weaknesspoor cardio (shared)
Weaknesslacks striking volume

Striking trend

Sig. strikes/min, last 8 fights · green = win
September 9, 2017 vs Tyson Pedro — 2.93/min (W) Sep '17 February 24, 2018 vs Ovince Saint Preux — 6.58/min (W) — only 3.8 min of tape, so this rate reflects how fast the fight ended more than how he fought Feb '18 December 29, 2018 vs Corey Anderson — 2.2/min (L) Dec '18 August 10, 2019 vs Volkan Oezdemir — 1.89/min (L) Aug '19 February 8, 2020 vs Derrick Lewis — 0.33/min (L) Feb '20 June 5, 2021 vs Tanner Boser — 0.67/min (W) Jun '21 October 1, 2022 vs Aleksei Oleinik — 2.53/min (W) Oct '22 May 20, 2023 vs Rodrigo Nascimento — 3.27/min (L) May '23

Fight history

16 UFC bouts · newest first · opponent records as of fight night
L Rodrigo Nascimento 9-1 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill · May 20, 2023
49/77Sig. strikes
68/152Absorbed
2/7Takedowns
3:50Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Aleksei Oleinik 37-16-1 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan · October 1, 2022
38/48Sig. strikes
28/70Absorbed
3/6Takedowns
8:29Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Tanner Boser 19-7-1 walk-in Decision - Split · R3 5:00 — UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai · June 5, 2021
10/38Sig. strikes
45/105Absorbed
2/3Takedowns
6:38Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Derrick Lewis 22-7 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes · February 8, 2020
5/12Sig. strikes
20/50Absorbed
3/7Takedowns
8:49Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Volkan Oezdemir 13-4 walk-in KO/TKO · R2 4:31 — UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 · August 10, 2019
18/60Sig. strikes
64/137Absorbed
1/5Takedowns
1:07Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Corey Anderson 11-4 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 232: Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 · December 29, 2018
33/78Sig. strikes
40/121Absorbed
0/4Takedowns
0:46Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Ovince Saint Preux 22-10 walk-in Submission · R1 3:48 — UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Stephens · February 24, 2018
25/41Sig. strikes
7/24Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:19Control
1Knockdowns
1Sub attempts
W Tyson Pedro 6-0 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 215: Nunes vs Shevchenko 2 · September 9, 2017
44/79Sig. strikes
31/54Absorbed
4/5Takedowns
7:23Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Ryan Bader 20-5 walk-in KO/TKO · R2 2:06 — UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett · September 3, 2016
9/30Sig. strikes
13/34Absorbed
0/5Takedowns
0:26Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Gian Villante 14-6 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC 196: McGregor vs Diaz · March 5, 2016
30/53Sig. strikes
23/68Absorbed
3/12Takedowns
4:37Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Sean O'Connell 17-6 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 0:30 — UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs Cruz · January 17, 2016
2/3Sig. strikes
1/3Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:01Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Hans Stringer 22-6-3 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 0:56 — UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs Leites · July 18, 2015
7/9Sig. strikes
2/5Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:02Control
1Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
L Jan Blachowicz 12-3 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 1:58 — UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs Story · October 4, 2014
2/6Sig. strikes
13/20Absorbed
0/0Takedowns
0:00Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Chris Dempsey 9-1 walk-in KO/TKO · R1 2:07 — UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs Brandao · July 19, 2014
16/31Sig. strikes
1/5Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
0:02Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts
W Cyrille Diabate 19-9-1 walk-in Submission · R1 3:02 — UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs Manuwa · March 8, 2014
0/0Sig. strikes
0/0Absorbed
1/1Takedowns
1:50Control
0Knockdowns
2Sub attempts
L Gegard Mousasi 32-3-2 walk-in Decision - Unanimous · R3 5:00 — UFC on FUEL TV: Mousasi vs Latifi · April 6, 2013
18/112Sig. strikes
80/150Absorbed
1/3Takedowns
0:31Control
0Knockdowns
0Sub attempts

Walk-in records count UFC bouts in this database. For the pre-UFC career, see the record breakdown below or the Tapology button up top.

Record breakdown

Full pro career (Wikipedia, results only)
16-9-0 (1 NC)Pro record
Allstars Training Center, Pancrase Gym Sweden, American Top Team, Malmö Tigers (Wrestling)Gym / team

Wins by method

KO/TKO 5
Submission 5
Decision 6
Other 0

Losses by method

KO/TKO 4
Submission 0
Decision 5
Other 0

No contests: 1

Fights by organization

UFC 16
Rumble of the Kings 3
Superior Challenge 2
Glory 1
United Glory 1
Shark Fights 1
Strength and Honor Championship 1
Real Pain Challenge 1
Full career — 26 fights, every organization
OpponentMethodEventOrg RdTime
L Rodrigo Nascimento Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill
May 20, 2023
UFC 3 5:00
W Aleksei Oleinik Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan
October 1, 2022
UFC 3 5:00
W Tanner Boser Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai
June 5, 2021
UFC 3 5:00
L Derrick Lewis Decision (unanimous) UFC 247
February 8, 2020
UFC 3 5:00
L Volkan Oezdemir KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2
August 10, 2019
UFC 2 4:31
L Corey Anderson Decision (unanimous) UFC 232
December 29, 2018
UFC 3 5:00
W Ovince Saint Preux Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on Fox: Emmett vs. Stephens
February 24, 2018
UFC 1 3:48
W Tyson Pedro Decision (unanimous) UFC 215
September 9, 2017
UFC 3 5:00
L Ryan Bader KO (knee) UFC Fight Night: Arlovski vs. Barnett
September 3, 2016
UFC 2 2:06
W Gian Villante Decision (unanimous) UFC 196
March 5, 2016
UFC 3 5:00
W Sean O'Connell KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz
January 17, 2016
UFC 1 0:30
W Hans Stringer KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites
July 18, 2015
UFC 1 0:56
L Jan Błachowicz TKO (body kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story
October 4, 2014
UFC 1 1:58
W Chris Dempsey KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Brandao
July 19, 2014
UFC 1 2:07
W Cyrille Diabaté Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Manuwa
March 8, 2014
UFC 1 3:02
L Gegard Mousasi Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fuel TV: Mousasi vs. Latifi
April 6, 2013
UFC 3 5:00
W Jorge Oliveira Decision (unanimous) Superior Challenge 8
October 6, 2012
Superior Challenge 3 5:00
W Tony Lopez Decision (unanimous) Glory 1: Stockholm
May 26, 2012
Glory 3 5:00
W Denis Bogdanov Submission (americana) United Glory 15
March 23, 2012
United Glory 1 0:51
L Emanuel Newton Decision (unanimous) Shark Fights 17: Horwich vs. Rosholt 2
July 15, 2011
Shark Fights 3 5:00
W Matteo Minonzio TKO (head kick) Strength and Honor Championship 2
April 10, 2010
Strength and Honor Championship 1 4:29
L Tatsuya Mizuno TKO (knee and punches) Rumble of the Kings 4
November 20, 2009
Rumble of the Kings 3 0:15
W Darko Krbanjevic Submission (armbar) Rumble of the Kings 3
May 22, 2009
Rumble of the Kings 1 1:43
W Luis Pinho TKO (submission to punches) Rumble of the Kings 2
February 27, 2009
Rumble of the Kings 1 1:20
W Roman Mihocka KO (punches) Superior Challenge 2
October 25, 2008
Superior Challenge 2 1:55
NC Blagoy Ivanov NC (ring broke) Real Pain Challenge 2
May 17, 2008
Real Pain Challenge 1 0:55

Career history from the fighter's Wikipedia record table (Ilir Latifi) — results only, no strike stats; UFC bouts are marked and carry full stats in the fight history above.

Division context

vs. 100 qualified Heavyweight fighters · tick = division mean
Striking volume /min 2.0 avg 3.4
Strikes absorbed /min 2.9 avg 3.3
Striking accuracy 45.2% avg 49.5%
Striking defense 56.3% avg 52.1%
Takedowns /15 min 2.1 avg 1.2
Takedown accuracy 35.6% avg 37.6%
Takedown defense 100.0% avg 61.8%
Sub attempts /15 min 0.3 avg 0.4
Control time 30.1% avg 21.4%
Finish rate 55.6% avg 63.7%

Headshot of Ilir Latifi by MMAnytt · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons · cropped and resized