Ilir Latifi has the tools to be the next Swede to make a jump to a major promotion. As an elite grappler, he has a strong foundation for MMA, previously winning the ADCC European Trials and representing Sweden’s national team as wrestler. The light heavyweight has five wins and one loss since turning to MMA, and the 28 year old fighter has shown an evolving game of explosive Greco-Roman takedowns and heavy handed ground and pound –his only loss was at the hands of Dream, M1, and Pancrase veteran Tatsuya Mizuno in 2009.
“I proudly represent both my Swedish
and Albanian heritage.” – Ilir Latifi
(Photograph by Marguerite Seger at www.marguerite.se)
After his unseen success as a training partner in the camp that resulted in Antonio “Big Foot” Silva’s win over Fedor Emelianenko earlier in the year, Latifi looks to step in the spotlight to showcase his skills again. The veteran of Superior Challenge and K1 Rumble of the Kings now makes his US debut with a main card slot among such elite fighters such as Matt Horwich, Jake Rosholt, and former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez on the popular Shark Fights promotion.
In this exclusive interview, Latifi gives us a bit of background as he gets ready to step into the cage with the surging Emanuel Newton, fresh off a win over UFC veteran Rodney Wallace, at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas this Friday, July 15.
Interview
MMA Viking : You are known as one of Sweden’s top MMA light heavyweight prospects. You also carry an Albanian flag in the ring to your fights. Can you give us some background on your Albanian heritage and how you came to live in Sweden?
Latifi : My parents are Albanian from Kosovo, and they moved to Sweden in the 70’s. So that’s my heritage, and I was born in July of 1982 in Malmö. I proudly represent both my Swedish and Albanian heritage.
MMA Viking : I see “sledgehammer” listed as your nickname? Is this your official nickname, and how did you get this?
Highlight Video of Ilir Latifi
Latifi : The ring announcer at K1 Rumble of the Kings called me that we I fought… but I don’t have an official nickname.
Latifi (lower right) with training partners, including Mike van Arsdale, Michael Johnson, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva, Rashad Evans
MMA Viking : You were brought into Antonio Silva’s camp to help him prepare for Fedor. How was it to be part of a team that was able to successfully beat one of the best heavyweight fighters of all time?
Latifi : In January, I was helping Antonio “Big Foot” Silva for his fight against Fedor. It was a great camp with good fighters such as Vitor Miranda, Guto Inocente and Asker Cyril, and trainer André Benkei and Carlos inocente. It was nice to be apart of that victory, Big Foot was training hard and focused, we believed in him… but still all respect to Fedor. He will always be a legend.
Latifi Fighting in his Hometown of Malmö against Luis Silva at K-1 Rumble of the Kings Qualification in 2009
MMA Viking : Recent pictures show you training with additional UFC fighters as Rashad Evans and Anthony Johnson in Florida. Now that you have spent time training with some of the best fighters in the world, how do you feel you could perform in a big organization?
Latifi : Right know I am training with a great team with a lot of good fighters and coaches. I feel good and I’m really developing.
MMA Viking : Rankings were placing you as one of the top prospects not signed to a major organization. We haven’t seen you in the cage for over a year now. What can you tell us about your plan for getting back to fighting?
Latifi : Yes, I’m fighting Emanuel Newton on the 15th of July at Shark Fights 17.
Shark Fights 17 will take place on Friday, July 15th at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas live on HDNet. Fights start at 7pm CT.
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