[4] A two-time national wrestling champion[5] and a professional MMA competitor since 2008, Latifi has also competed in Shark Fights, Rumble of The Kings, and GLORY.
[7] In 2005, he began to follow in his older brother's footsteps by training MMA as a result of his dissatisfaction with the constant rule changes in wrestling.
His first professional MMA fight was on May 17, 2008, with the Real Pain Challenge promotion against future Bellator fighter and WSOF Heavyweight champion Blagoi Ivanov.
However, the fight was ruled a no contest 55 seconds into the first round, as Latifi drove Ivanov into one of the posts on the ring and destroyed it.
Latifi used his superior wrestling and also his improved striking to shut Lopez down to win a unanimous decision.
His early career success has led to Latifi being ranked as one of the top Light Heavyweights in Europe.
[14] Latifi made his UFC debut against at the time #10 ranked, former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Gegard Mousasi on April 6, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 9, on four days notice,[15] reportedly cutting weight from 105 kg (231 lbs) to 93.4 kg (206 lbs),[16] replacing his injured training partner Alexander Gustafsson.
[22] However, Lawlor later had to withdraw from the bout citing an injury,[23] and was replaced by promotional newcomer Chris Dempsey.
[24] Latifi effectively used leg kicks to disable his opponent, before finishing him with punches, ending the fight via first-round knockout.
[25][26] Latifi faced promotional newcomer Jan Błachowicz on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 53.
[32] He won the fight by knockout, having landed a vicious overhand right that wobbled O'Connell, followed by a right hook that dropped him to the canvas, 28 seconds into the first round.
[39] Latifi was expected to face Antônio Rogério Nogueira on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112.
Subsequently, despite having six weeks to secure a replacement opponent, promotion officials elected to remove Latifi from the event entirely.
[56] On May 30, 2019, it was reported that Latifi was forced to pull out of the event due to back injury and the bout was cancelled.
[58][59] In turn, due to Oezdemir having visa issues to enter United States, the bout was moved to August 10, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 156.
[73] In the post-fight interview he said that, having reached the age of 40 and the end of his UFC contract, he was unsure of his future in the sport, and that it might have been his last fight.
[74] In the same interview he revealed fighting with possible staph infection which he didn't disclose to the athletic commission and was later suspended for three months, making him eligible to return on January 1, 2023.