Ilir Latifi: ‘I want that shot’ at Daniel Cormier, at light heavyweight or heavyweight

On Saturday night in Orlando, number eight-ranked light heavyweight contender Ilir Latifiscored a significant victory over Ovince Saint Preux. The 34-year-old Stockholm native won via first-round submission, which earned him an extra $50,000 for Performance of the Night.

After the win, Latifi now feels he deserves a shot at current 205-pound champion Daniel Cormier, and he does not mind what weight class it happens.

“Let’s see what happens,” Latifi told MMAjunkie in a post-fight interview. “I have no problem fighting at heavyweight, too. But I want that shot. He’s never fought someone like me – a wrestler, same size, I never get taken down. Let’s put (us) together and see what we’ve got.”

“I have mad respect for ‘DC.’ He’s a true champ. He’s a legend, both inside the octagon and outside. But this is business, and this is my opportunity to get my shot. I think we’re going to put up a good fight if it happens soon.”

Ultimately, Latifi feels that he notched an important win against a fighter like Saint Preux, whom he holds in high regard for going five full rounds against former champion and top pound-for-pound fighter Jon Jones.

“‘OSP’ is a great fighter. He’s experienced,” Latifi said of his opponent. “He has great fights – he went five rounds against Jon Jones. People don’t forget that. Coming into this fight, I prepared very hard, and I knew it was a tough challenge.”

“I knew people doubted me, but my team didn’t doubt me and I didn’t doubt myself because I knew what was possible. The guys I train with and how we train, there’s nobody that does that.”

Latifi is currently on a two-fight win streak, as he holds a record of 14-5 (with 10 wins by stoppage).