First-round KO, treating UFC 296 like debut has Andre Fili feeling rejuvenated
LAS VEGAS – Andre Fili beat Lucas Almeida with a first-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Fili, who got back in the win column after a July decision loss to Nathaniel Wood.
Lucas Almeida vs. Andre Fili
Result: Andre Fili def. Lucas Almeida via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:32
Updated records: Fili (23-10 MMA, 11-9 UFC), Almeida (14-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC)
Key stats: Fili will go after two straight his next time out, which would be just his third two-fight winning streak in the UFC in more than 10 years.
Fili on the fight's key moment
“This is not hyperbolic: I haven’t felt this good in the cage during the fight since I was 19 years old fighting at Red Hawk Casino in Northern California. This is the best I’ve ever felt where I’m dancing, having fun, everything he throws is in slow motion, everything I throw can’t miss … I’m him. And when I’m in that zone, it’s a reminder to myself, like, ‘Damn, I can fight.’”
Fili on his mindset
“I said from the beginning of this fight camp that (I’m treating it like) this is my UFC debut, and that’s how it felt. Everything about it was perfect. I was early on the fight card. Everything just felt like my debut. I was so calm and so in the moment, so present, and I had so much fun. That’s how it felt when I was 19, fighting for $500 at an Indian reservation. That’s how it felt when I was fighting smoker fights in some gym with the windows blacked out. That’s how it felt when I was fighting behind my high school when I was 15. I love fighting. I’m a born fighter, and I got back to who I am today.”
Fili on what he wants next
“I can’t call the exact next shot. I’d like to get on that March card, (UFC 299 in Miami). ‘Chito’ (Marlon Vera) is fighting (Sean) O’Malley, and I’ve got a lot of love for my boy ‘Chito’ and it’d be cool to be on that card. I don’t know the exact next move because I just got out of a cage fight, so everything is still kind of a blur, but I know that everything moving forward is going to look like it did tonight. I’m going to practice gratitude. I’m going to practice enjoying the moment, being present and not taking any of this for granted. I wouldn’t trade this for anything. I love this life.”
To hear more from Fili, check out the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
