Surging light heavyweight contender Ilir Latifi calls out Daniel Cormier

UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier is a sought-after man. After being called out by Stipe Miocic, Yoel Romero, Anthony Smith, and more, he’s now been called out by surging light heavyweight talent Ilir Latifi.

The Swedish behemoth made his callout of Cormier on Instagram over the weekend. He’s hoping to battle the champ when the UFC returns to New York City’s Madison Square Garden this November.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlLWqOol9gN/

“Mister Pound for Pound,” Latifi said in his callout of Cormier. “Lets give the fans the best possible show at LHW! Shogun is a legend, and a great fighter, but I’m the only one at the top of LHW that has 5 wins out of my last 6 with 3 KO’s and 1 submission in the first round! I’m one of the most active fighters in the division! Let us both heal and set it up! You said it yourself: ‘Ilir Latifi is the strongest guy I’ve ever trained with.’ And with my 100% takedown defense, we all know this will be a slug fest! You never know, I might just take you down once for the fun of it. Let’s rumble in NYC! LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN!”

Ilir Latifi is currently on a two-fight win-streak, having recently bested Tyson Pedro by decision, and Ovince Saint Preux by first round submission. His last loss occurred in September of 2016, when he was knocked out by current Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. Latifi is 14-5 overall.

While Ilir Latifi deserves credit for trying to create an opportunity for himself, its unlikely that Daniel Cormier obliges this callout. The Champ Champ has already stated that, if he defends his light heavyweight title, he’d like to do it against Shogun — and that’s only if he even returns to light heavyweight before his heavyweight showdown with Brock Lesnar.

Do you think Ilir Latifi deserves a light heavyweight title shot?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/17/2018.