Andre Fili

Andre Fili (born June 25, 1990), is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background
Fili grew up in a broken home, where both of the parents were violent against each other and also their children. Fili's mother raised her kids alone, as her husband was serving jail time on multiple occasions and was not living in the house. The violent and unstable upbringing left its mark on Fili, and he started seeking out street brawls as a teenager. In 2009, Fili moved to Sacramento and while still under probation, he joined Team Alpha Male and began training mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career
Fili made his professional debut on December 12, 2009, against Anthony Motley. Fili won the fight via TKO and won his next three fights via TKO as well. Fili suffered his first loss, by knee injury, against Strikeforce vet Derrick Burnsed. Fili bounced back from the loss winning his next 8 fights including a win over Strikeforce veteran Alexander Crispim.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Fili made his promotional debut on October 19, 2013, at UFC 166 against Jeremy Larsen. Fili, who was in the middle of a training camp for a welterweight bout in another promotion, took the featherweight fight on short notice (two weeks) to replace an injured Charles Oliveira. The bout was contested at a catchweight, as Fili was unable to make the required weight. Fili won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Fili faced Max Holloway on April 26, 2014, at UFC 172. He lost the fight via submission in the third round.

Fili was expected to face Sean Soriano on September 5, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 50. However, Fili was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Chas Skelly.

Fili faced Felipe Arantes on October 25, 2014, at UFC 179. He won via unanimous decision.

Fili faced Godofredo Pepey on March 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 62. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.

Fili was expected to face Clay Collard on September 5, 2015, at UFC 191. However, Fili was forced out of the bout with injury and replaced by Tiago Trator.

Fili faced Gabriel Benítez on November 21, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. He won the fight via knockout in the first round and also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.

Fili faced Yair Rodríguez on April 23, 2016, at UFC 197. Fili lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Fili faced Hacran Dias on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96, filling in for an injured Brian Ortega. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Fili was expected to face Doo Ho Choi on July 29, 2017, at UFC 214. However Choi pulled out of the fight and was replaced by promotional newcomer Calvin Kattar. Fili lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Fili faced Artem Lobov on October 21, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 118. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Fili faced Dennis Bermudez on January 27, 2018, at UFC on Fox 27. He won the fight via split decision.

Fili faced Michael Johnson on August 25, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 135. He lost the fight via split decision.

Fili faced Myles Jury on February 17, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 1. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Fili faced Sheymon Moraes on July 13, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 13. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Fili faced Sodiq Yusuff on January 18, 2020, at UFC 246. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Fili faced Charles Jourdain on June 13, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Eye vs. Calvillo. He won the bout via split decision.

Fili faced Bryce Mitchell on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 181. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Fili faced Daniel Pineda on June 26, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 190. Early in round two, Fili accidentally poked Pineda in the eye and he was deemed unable to continue. The fight was declared a no contest.

Fili faced Joanderson Brito on April 30, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 35. He lost the fight via TKO in round one.

Fili was scheduled to face Lando Vannata on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 210. However, Vannata was forced to pull from the event due to injury and was replaced by Bill Algeo. Fili won the fight via split decision.

Fili was scheduled to face Lucas Almeida on February 25, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 220. However, Fili was forced to withdraw from the bout due to emergency eye surgery.

Fili faced Nathaniel Wood on July 22, 2023, at UFC on ESPN+ 82. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Fili faced Lucas Almeida on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296. He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Fili faced Dan Ige, replacing injured Lerone Murphy, on February 10, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 236. He lost the bout by knockout in the first round.

Fili faced Cub Swanson on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303. He won the fight by split decision. This fight earned him a Fight of the Night award.

Professional grappling career
Fili made his professional grappling debut against Shane Shapiro at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 2 on July 3, 2022. He lost the bout via north–south choke.

Championships and awards

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Cub Swanson
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Gabriel Benítez and Sheymon Moraes
 * Tied (Cub Swanson) for third most bouts in UFC Featherweight division history (23)
 * Fourth most wins in UFC Featherweight division history (12)
 * Fourth most total fight time in UFC Featherweight division history (4:14:03)
 * Fourth most takedowns landed in UFC Featherweight division history (35)
 * Most split decision wins in UFC Featherweight division history (4)