According to a report from Swedish MMA publication Kimura.se, a clash between top light heavyweight contenders Ilir Latifi and Glover Teixeira is in the works for a summer UFC card. While the setting for this compelling bout has not yet been finalized, the report suggests those details will be worked out in the coming days.
BREAKING NEWS: Sources to Kimura can confirm that a match-up between Swedens @Latifimma and @gloverteixeira is a DONE DEAL. @arielhelwani @SandhuMMA @mmamania @MMAjunkie @MMAFighting @BloodyElbow @bjpenndotcom https://t.co/X4n0SuBRVz pic.twitter.com/axgCp1g9oJ
— Kimura Crew (@kimurasweden) April 23, 2018
Glover Teixeira will enter this reported bout having recently returned to the win column with a first-round mauling of respected Canadian light heavyweight Misha Cirkunov. In his next most recent fight, Teixeira experienced a knockout loss courtesy of top light heavyweight contender Alexander Gustafsson. This loss was preceded by a win over Jared Cannonier, and another KO loss to Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Teixeira is a strong 27-6 overall.
Latifi, meanwhile, is currently on a nice two-fight streak. His latest win came at the expense of former interim title challenger Ovince Saint Preux, who he rattled with a big punch and finished off with a standing guillotine choke. His next most recent win was a decision defeat of Tyson Pedro. Latifi’s last loss occurred in September of 2016, when he was turned off by a blistering knee dealt by current Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. The Swede is 14-5 in sum.
While no date or location has been set for this reported bout just yet, the UFC’s recently announced June 22nd return to Hamburg, Germany, would seem like a frontrunner, given that Latifi hails from nearby Sweden. That said, its possible the promotion opts to drop this crucial light heavyweight showdown on an upcoming pay-per-view, too. Stay tuned for more updates on this Glover Teixeira vs. Ilir Latifi bout as they emerge.
This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 4/23/2018.