The UFC is close to finalizing a heavyweight bout between Derrick Lewis and Ilir Latifi on Feb. 8, according to multiple sources.
Contracts have yet to be signed, but both sides have agreed to the matchup. The UFC has not yet announced an event or venue for the date of Feb. 8, but sources say Houston is one location under consideration.
Lewis (22-7), who is from Houston, is coming off a split decision win against Blagoy Ivanov in November. Prior to that victory, the 34-year-old had taken some time off for knee surgery. Lewis is 1-1 since challenging then-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier for the UFC title in November 2018.
Latifi (14-7) will be moving up to the heavyweight division for the first time in his UFC career. Latifi has a 7-5 record in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, but has lost his last two against contender hopefuls Corey Anderson and Volkan Oezdemir.