Swede Ilir Latifi (11-4-1) faces American Gian Villante (14-6) on the main card of UFC 196 as the only Nordic fighter. Get your live play-by-play and updates here.

Latifi Live Play-by-Play

Round 1:

Latifi and Villante are locked inside the cage, Yves Lavigne keeping things honest. The action begins and Villante takes the center. Villante throws a kick high early, Latifi catches it on the gloves. The Swede barrels forward and smashes Villante to the cage. Latifi with a ovearhand right on the break, and Villante takes the center once more. A heavy leg kick lands for Villante. Another. A third attempt, but Latifi catches it and immediately throws a looping blow, which glances Villante and allows Latifi to force him to the cage once more. Latifi throws an uppercut to the body, then a hook and an uppercut to the head. The two separate, and the American is once more at the center of the cage with the shorter man circling. Villante throws a left hook, but Latifi leans in and there appears to be a slight clash of heads. Latifi uses his momentum to lead VIllante to the cage, but it is fruitless and they once more find the center. Latifi throws a vicious body hook followed by an uppercut, and finds himself the pressure fighter as it goes to the fence once more. They separate and Villante throws a vicious body kick, then one to the head to finish the round.

Round 2:

The second frame begins and the two big men touch gloves. The Swede takes the outside and eats a kick, then an overhand right from Villante. Latifi sneaks in a left hand as he darts forward, then moves out of range. Latifi appears to take an inadvertent eye poke, then eats a kick, which he catches, then chains to a vicious suplex. The American will not be held down, but he does appear to be breathing heavily as he takes the center once more. Latifi with a right hook to the body, and Villante returns fire with a kick, which Latifi attempts to catch. He fails to do so, but again, the bullish Swede pressures the American to the cage. This, like all things, doesn’t last, and they resume their former positions with the American at the center of the cage. An inside leg kick lands for the American. Villante is visibly exhausted as the Swede spinning back kicks him in the breadbasket. Once more. Latifi wings in a left hand, but it lands on the gloves, then he attempts to go up the middle. Villante with a kick, but Latifi pressures him toward the cage. Big takedown for the Swede, who takes the back and applies his sledgehammer fists. Villante comes to his feet, but the Swede holds him to the cage as the round ends.

Round 3:

The Final Stanza opens, and Latifi wings in with a right hook to the body. The American throws a front kick up the middle. Latifi switches stance and leaps in with a left hook. Latifi with a hard right to the body, then shoots deep on the American’s hips. Latifi attempts a spinning throw, but Villante shrugs it off. Latifi holds the American to the cage, but he eventually escapes and takes the center of the Octagon once more. Latifi with an overhand left that just misses. Villante feints a jab, and Latifi attempts a spinning back kick to the head, but dalls short. A giant lead right hook lands for Latifi, then a straight left, but Villante eats it comfortably and throws a front kick up the iddle. Latifi buckles Villante with a left hand, but fails to notice the effect, and allows Villante to recover. Villante kicks the body of the Swede, then lands a left hook. A right hook misses for the American, and Latifi ducks under, takes the hips, and puts the American on the mat. Latifi attempts a choke, but VIllante reverses and takes the Swede down. The Swede gets to his feet and they struggle for position as the final horn sounds.

Decision: The judges score this bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Ilir “The Sledgehammer” Latifi.

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