Corey Anderson continued his rise at UFC 232 by taking Ilir Latifi’s best shots, then coming up big in the final two rounds.
Both Ilir Latifi and Corey Anderson come into UFC 232 with a two-fight win streak under their belts.
Corey Anderson was the first to close the distance, but missed with his punch. Anderson reached out with a couple kicks but came up short. Latifi landed a heavy calf kick, then another that hurt Anderson. Latifi went for a takedown after a combination, but could not get it despite lifting Anderson off the ground. Latifi caught Anderson with an uppercut on the way in that knocked the mouthpiece of Anderson out. Anderson bounced back quickly but ate a heavy left hand in the midst of a combination. Latifi landed another big shot that sent Anderson to the fence, but he was staying in it. A head kick from Anderson was countered by another calf kick by Latifi at the end of the round.
Anderson landed a body kick to start the second round, then a straight right hand. Another huge right landed for Latifi, but Anderson did not waver. Latifi looked for a takedown, but could not secure it. A body shot landed for Anderson, then a head kick followed by a pair of uppercuts. Anderson clinched with Latifi behind knees to the body, and momentum was slowly shifting to Anderson’s side as the round ended.
There was a more deliberate pace to round three with Anderson trying to hold on to momentum and Latifi looking for his finishing blow. Latifi landed another calf kick that gave Anderson issues, but Anderson was dictating where the fight was taking place. A wheel kick landed for Latifi late in the round, but Anderson answered with a stiff two-punch combination.
Corey Anderson def. Ilir Latifi by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
