Ilir Latifi, known as “The Sledgehammer” in mixed martial arts, has become a formidable fighter in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
With his wrestling background and powerful striking, Latifi has become a respected competitor in the octagon.
This article teaches you about Ilir Latifi’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Ilir Latifi’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ilir Latifi |
| Nickname | “The Sledgehammer” |
| Born | July 28, 1983 |
| Age | 40 |
| College | Sportscience University |
| Religion | – |
| Nationality | Swedish (of Albanian origin) |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Turned Pro | 2008 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1-3 million |
| Salary | Varies per fight |
| Relationship Status | Unknown |
| @ilirlatifi |
Early Career
Ilir Latifi’s journey in combat sports began with wrestling. Born to Albanian parents who emigrated from Kosovo in the 1960s, Latifi grew up in Rosengård, Sweden.
He started wrestling at a young age, following in the footsteps of his family members. Latifi’s dedication to wrestling led him to become a 2-time national champion in Sweden.
In 2005, he transitioned to mixed martial arts, inspired by his older brother Arben, a Swedish MMA pioneer.
Professional Career
Latifi made his professional MMA debut in 2008, initially competing as a heavyweight.
His early career saw him fight in various European promotions, including the Superior Challenge and Glory World Series.
In 2013, Latifi got his big break when he was called to the UFC on short notice to replace his injured training partner Alexander Gustafsson.
Despite losing his debut fight against Gegard Mousasi, Latifi impressed UFC president Dana White with his willingness to take on a top-ranked opponent on just 4 days’ notice.
This gutsy performance secured Latifi’s place in the UFC, where he has since competed in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
Ilir Latifi’s Net Worth Details
Ilir Latifi’s net worth is estimated to be between $1-3 million as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Purse |
|---|---|---|
| UFC 232 | Corey Anderson | $90,000 |
| UFC Fight Night 37 | Cyrille Diabaté | – |
| UFC on Fuel TV 9 | Gegard Mousasi | – |
Career Records
| Opponent | Result | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo Nascimento | Loss | UFC Fight Night 223 | May 20, 2023 |
| Aleksei Oleinik | Win | UFC Fight Night | Oct 1, 2022 |
| Tanner Boser | Win | UFC Fight Night | Jun 5, 2021 |
| Derrick Lewis | Loss | UFC 247 | Feb 8, 2020 |
| Volkan Oezdemir | Loss | UFC Fight Night | Aug 10, 2019 |
| Ovince Saint Preux | Win | UFC on FOX 28 | Feb 24, 2018 |
| Ryan Bader | Loss | UFC Fight Night 93 | Sep 3, 2016 |
| Gegard Mousasi | Loss | UFC on Fuel TV 9 | Apr 6, 2013 |
FAQs
1. Who is Ilir Latifi?
Ilir Latifi is a Swedish mixed martial artist of Albanian descent who competes in the heavyweight division. He is known by the nickname “The Sledgehammer” and has competed in organizations like the UFC, Shark Fights, and Superior Challenge.
2. What is Ilir Latifi’s fighting style?
Latifi primarily utilizes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling in his fights. He has a strong grappling background, being a two-time national wrestling champion in Sweden.
3. What is Ilir Latifi’s MMA record?
As of his most recent fight in 2023, Ilir Latifi holds a professional MMA record of 17 wins, 9 losses, and 1 no contest.
4. What are Ilir Latifi’s notable achievements in MMA?
Latifi was the first Superior Challenge Light Heavyweight Champion and has earned a “Performance of the Night” bonus in the UFC for his submission victory over Ovince Saint Preux in 2018.
5. What is Ilir Latifi’s connection to wrestling?
Latifi began wrestling at a young age due to his family’s involvement in the sport. He transitioned to MMA after becoming dissatisfied with rule changes in wrestling.
