Ilir Latifi vs. Ovince Saint Preux booked for UFC on FOX 27

Ilir Latifi vs. Ovince Saint Preux booked for UFC on FOX 27

Light heavyweights Ovince Saint Preux and Ilir Latifi will clash at UFC on FOX 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The UFC’s first event in Charlotte, North Carolina since 2010 now has its first confirmed matchup.

In an official announcement on Monday, the UFC revealed that light heavyweight contender Ovince Saint Preux will take on Ilir Latifi, whom OSP called out following his spectacular knockout win at UFC 217. UFC on FOX 27 takes place on January 27th at the Spectrum Center.

Saint Preux (22-10) has won three straight, including back-to-back “Von Flue” choke finishes of Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Yushin Okami. At UFC 217 earlier this month, OSP rallied from two rounds down to knock Corey Anderson out with a monstrous head kick. Saint Preux, who took the fight on short notice, earned a $25,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.

Latifi (13-5, 1 NC) has fought just once this year, besting Tyson Pedro by unanimous decision at UFC 215. That win came almost a full year after his knockout loss to Ryan Bader in Germany. Overall, Latifi’s UFC record is 6-3, with four wins by way of stoppage. “The Sledgehammer” is #9 in the UFC’s official light heavyweight rankings, whereas his opponent is #5.

UFC on FOX 27 does not have a main event, although you can expect that to be announced within a few weeks.