Ryan Bader vs. Ilir Latifi expected for UFC in Germany on Sept. 3
Ryan Bader is expected to face Ilir Latifi on the Sept. 3 card in Hamburg, sources close to the fight confirmed to FOX Sports on Wednesday.
Verbal agreements are in place from both fighters, but contracts have not been signed. Rumors of the bout were first reported by MMAFighting.com.
. @UFC fighter @RyanBader announces his next fight inside the Octagon! Can't wait for this one!https://t.co/chFN9CUqx9
— FOX Sports: PROcast (@PROcast) May 26, 2016
Bader will return to action after a tough loss to Anthony Johnson in January. The defeat put an end to his previous four-match win streak that included victories over Rashad Evans and Ovince Saint Preux.
The former "Ultimate Fighter" winner remains one of the top light-heavyweight fighters in the world, and he'll look to climb back into the title picture when he returns in September.
Facing Bader in Germany will be heavy handed knockout artist Ilir Latifi, who looks to build on his recent three-fight win streak in the UFC.
Latifi lost his UFC debut against Gegard Mousasi in 2013 on short notice. Since that loss he's amassed a 5-1 record in the UFC while climbing into the top 15 rankings.
Bader vs. Latifi is the first bout that's been confirmed for the card taking place in Hamburg, Germany, as the UFC returns to the European country for the first time since last June, when Joanna Jedrzejczyk defeated Jessica Penne in the main event.
