There are two heavyweight fights taking place on Saturday’s main card and with Jon Jones‘ recent talks of moving up to heavyweight to challenge the champion, Stipe Miocic, there’s no ignoring the excitement surrounding the UFC’s heavyweight division at the moment.
Derrick Lewis vs. Ilir Latifi
The UFC 247 PPV will be kicked off with a highly anticipated match up between two heavyweights. Former heavyweight title challenger and Houston native, Derrick Lewis (22-7 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and Former top light heavyweight contender, Ilir Latifi (14-7 MMA, 7-5 UFC).
Saturday night, Lewis looks to set the record for the most knockouts in heavyweight history and put on a show for his hometown fans in Houston, Texas.
On Wednesday during the UFC’s athlete panel, Lewis let fans know that he’s looking to make this the fight that he breaks the all-time heavyweight knockout record.
“This fight right here should be (for) the most knockouts,” said Lewis when Jon Jones asked if he had the record for the most knockouts in UFC heavyweight history.
Latifi who has been a top contender for several years in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, is making his heavyweight debut against Lewis.
A win over Lewis would put Latifi right at the top of the division, setting up potential top ten match ups that could streamline his path to a title shot against current champion, Stipe Miocic.
While Lewis will be looking to set the all-time heavyweight knockout record, Latifi will be looking to make good on his heavyweight debut, and start his path to earning a heavyweight title.
Both fighters made an appearance on the UFC’s athlete panel on Wednesday. With little to no trash talk between the two, this looks to be an exciting fight between two fighters who respect each other and who are aware of what their opponent brings to the table.
