Ovince St. Preux is getting his wish, and will face Ilir Latifi early next year.
The UFC announced Monday that light heavyweights Ovince St. Preux and Ilir Latifi will face off this January. Taking place at UFC Charlotte, the fight comes after ‘OSP’ called for a bout with Latifi following his knockout of Corey Anderson at UFC 217. That came, St. Preux later explained (via MMA Junkie) after Latifi had earlier called the American out. The Charlotte Observer was first to report the news.
It's official! @Latifimma 🇸🇪 heads to #UFCCharlotte and faces @003_OSP! pic.twitter.com/3sgUsuyVwi
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) November 13, 2017
At 3-1 this year, St. Preux (22-10) has had a very successful 2017. Prior to his win last week against Anderson, he’d picked up victories over Yushin Okami and Marcos Rogério de Lima. The only blemish this calendar year for OSP came when he was defeated by Volkan Oezdemir, who looks to be next in line for a title shot at light heavyweight.
Sweden’s Ilir Latifi (13–5 (1)) will enter UFC Charlotte off a win over Tyson Pedro at UFC 215 in September. Of late, he’s been trading wins and losses in the promotion.
UFC Charlotte (UFC on FOX 27) takes place at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 27, 2018. No main event has been announced for the card as of yet.
