Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently rebooked the light heavyweight showdown between Volkan Oezdemir and Ilir Latifi, now official for the upcoming UFC on ESPN 5 mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Sat., Aug. 3, 2019 inside Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
The Top 10-ranked 205-pounders were originally expected to throw hands at UFC Stockholm earlier this month on ESPN+; however, Latifi blew out his back in training camp and was forced to withdraw at the last minute.
Oezdemir (15-4) is mired in a dreadful three-fight losing streak, which started with his championship defeat to Daniel Cormier back at UFC 220. Latifi (14-6, 1 NC), meanwhile, is trying to get back into the win column after coming up short against Corey Anderson at UFC 232.
UFC on ESPN 5 will be headlined by the welterweight showdown pitting top contender, Colby Covington, against ex-champion, Robbie Lawler. Elsewhere on the card, lightweight veterans Jim Miller and Clay Guida hook ‘em up for 155-pound bragging rights.
Oezdemir vs. Latifi … who ya’ got?