Andre Fili
Touchy
USA
Works behind jab to get decision
Fili defeated Christian Rodriguez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27) at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Fili may have closed as roughly a (+200) betting underdog, but the veteran didn't look the part, working behind his jab to consistently land damage to his 27-year-old opponent. The striking numbers may have landed in favor of Rodriguez in all three rounds, but that doesn't tell the whole story, as Fili consistently landed the more damaging shots and even mixed in three takedowns for good measure. The "split decision" result is a bit misleading, as most media scorecards had this as a 30-27 victory for Fili. Even Rodriguez seemed to know he needed a finish in Round 3, but his final blitz came up short. It's a great win for Fili, though he hasn't strung together multiple victories since 2019. He's now alternated wins and losses in his last eight fights, making it tough to get headway in a loaded featherweight division.
Fili may have closed as roughly a (+200) betting underdog, but the veteran didn't look the part, working behind his jab to consistently land damage to his 27-year-old opponent. The striking numbers may have landed in favor of Rodriguez in all three rounds, but that doesn't tell the whole story, as Fili consistently landed the more damaging shots and even mixed in three takedowns for good measure. The "split decision" result is a bit misleading, as most media scorecards had this as a 30-27 victory for Fili. Even Rodriguez seemed to know he needed a finish in Round 3, but his final blitz came up short. It's a great win for Fili, though he hasn't strung together multiple victories since 2019. He's now alternated wins and losses in his last eight fights, making it tough to get headway in a loaded featherweight division.
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Set for UFC Vegas 109 bout
Fili will face Christian Rodriguez in a featherweight bout at UFC Vegas 109 on Aug. 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Fili lost to Melquizael Costa via submission in his most recent fight on Feb. 22 this year. While he's had some decent showings, he's alternated wins and losses over his last seven fights from April 2022. The lack of consistency on a fight-to-fight basis makes it hard to trust him regardless of who he's facing.
Fili lost to Melquizael Costa via submission in his most recent fight on Feb. 22 this year. While he's had some decent showings, he's alternated wins and losses over his last seven fights from April 2022. The lack of consistency on a fight-to-fight basis makes it hard to trust him regardless of who he's facing.
Mistake leads to submission loss
Fili lost to Melquizael Costa via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:30 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
Fili is miles from title contention and hasn't been in years, but he's still going to be kicking himself that he just handed away a win here. Fili and Costa fought to even terms for about four minutes, at which point Andre pushed forward for a strong takedown. Unfortunately, he left his neck completely exposed in the process and found himself tapping out moments later. It's a mistake you simply don't expect from a 34-year-old closing in on 40 professional fights. One of the most inconsistent fighters on the roster, Fili has alternated losses and wins in his last seven fights dating back to April 2022.
Fili is miles from title contention and hasn't been in years, but he's still going to be kicking himself that he just handed away a win here. Fili and Costa fought to even terms for about four minutes, at which point Andre pushed forward for a strong takedown. Unfortunately, he left his neck completely exposed in the process and found himself tapping out moments later. It's a mistake you simply don't expect from a 34-year-old closing in on 40 professional fights. One of the most inconsistent fighters on the roster, Fili has alternated losses and wins in his last seven fights dating back to April 2022.
Set to fight Costa
Fili will fight Melquizael Costa at UFC Seattle on Feb. 22, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
In his last bout on June 29, Fili snuck past Cub Swanson in a split decision to improve his record to 24-11. He will put that record to the test in February versus Costa who has just four UFC fights under his belt, going 2-2 so far. Fili also has a three-inch reach advantage over Costa which could prove important in the featherweight bout.
In his last bout on June 29, Fili snuck past Cub Swanson in a split decision to improve his record to 24-11. He will put that record to the test in February versus Costa who has just four UFC fights under his belt, going 2-2 so far. Fili also has a three-inch reach advantage over Costa which could prove important in the featherweight bout.
Barely gets past Cub Swanson
Fili defeated Cub Swanson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
If there was ever a fight which could have gone either way, this was it. Fili attempted to lean on his wrestling to ground Swanson, but landed just 2-of-11 takedown attempts. Neither man was all that effective on the feet, with Cub gaining a 90-70 edge in total strikes landed, but Fili pulling ahead 67-62 in those deemed significant. It was a true coin flip and Andre got the call, but both men would walk away with $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses. A member of the UFC roster since April 2014, the 34-year-old Fili is a .500 fighter at this stage of his career, as evidenced by the fact he has alternated wins and losses in his past six bouts.
If there was ever a fight which could have gone either way, this was it. Fili attempted to lean on his wrestling to ground Swanson, but landed just 2-of-11 takedown attempts. Neither man was all that effective on the feet, with Cub gaining a 90-70 edge in total strikes landed, but Fili pulling ahead 67-62 in those deemed significant. It was a true coin flip and Andre got the call, but both men would walk away with $50,000 Fight of the Night bonuses. A member of the UFC roster since April 2014, the 34-year-old Fili is a .500 fighter at this stage of his career, as evidenced by the fact he has alternated wins and losses in his past six bouts.
Will take on Cub Swanson
Fili will take on Cub Swanson in a bantamweight fight at UFC 303 on June 29, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Fili lost to Dan Ige via KO (punches) at 2:43 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 10 in Las Vegas, and he will look to bounce back in this upcoming fight. However, facing Swanson won't be easy, as the veteran knows his way around the octagon quite well. He's now alternated wins and losses over his last five bouts.
Fili lost to Dan Ige via KO (punches) at 2:43 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 10 in Las Vegas, and he will look to bounce back in this upcoming fight. However, facing Swanson won't be easy, as the veteran knows his way around the octagon quite well. He's now alternated wins and losses over his last five bouts.