UFC Fight Night 81 winner Ilir Latifi's goal? Headline again – and deserve it

BOSTON – It took only 30 seconds for Ilir Latifi to finish Sean O'Connell in their clash on Sunday at UFC Fight Night 81.

The speed of the victory showcased exactly the attitude Latifi (11-4 MMA, 4-2 UFC) brings to the fight game.

“Some people talk more than they train,” Latifi told MMAjunkie following his victory. “I’d rather work hard and let my fights talk for themselves. I finish my fights, and I always try for the finish. That’s my style.”

The light heavyweight bout was part of the UFC Fight Pass-streamed preliminary card of the event, which took place at TD Garden in Boston.

The first time Latifi committed to a punch, he landed cleanly. The overhand right caught O’Connell (17-7 MMA, 2-3 UFC) below the ear and put him on rubber legs. A follow-up punch landed as O’Connell crashed to the canvas, and the referee jumped in and called the bout off.

Some, including O’Connell, felt that the fight was stopped too quickly. But Latifi felt the speed of the stoppage was appropriate, and something that speaks to a larger commitment to the long-term health of fighters participating in the sport.

“I think he was out,” Latifi said. “It’s unnecessary to get more punches. I think the UFC is judging good because they’re thinking about the wellness of the fighters to have a long and healthy career.”

With a two-fight winning streak and four wins in his five most recent outings, Latifi said he believes it is time to move up the ranks. Another shot at main eventing a UFC card – something Latifi did in his octagon debut when he stepped in on very short notice and lost to Gegard Mousasi in April 2013 – is on his list of goals as well.

“I want to climb closer to that title shot,” Latifi said. “I want to fight top-10 (opponents) and want to do a main event in my home town in Sweden.”

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