The preview math on Andre Fili going into UFC Vegas 122 was not kind. He was 36, coming off back-to-back losses, and carrying 40 pro fights on his odometer. MMA Fighting’s pick column noted his 27 UFC appearances, second only to Darren Elkins among featherweights, and concluded that speed belonged to Kai Kamaka III and that speed would decide it. The sportsbooks were less dramatic. Fili closed as a small favorite in a fight MMA Mania described as close to even, with some folks leaning Kamaka because of his punching power and pressure.
Then Fili landed a right high kick at 0:22 of Round 2, and Kamaka was out before he finished falling. I had nothing on this fight, which turned out to be the smartest position I took all weekend.
The result moves Fili to 26-14 overall and 14-13 (1 NC) in the UFC. Kamaka drops to 18-9-1 and 2-4-1 inside the Octagon.
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Round 1 told you where the kick was coming from
Per Cageside Press’s round-by-round, Kamaka took the center early and walked Fili down. Fili was happy to work off the back foot near the fence, stepping in and out of range. That’s the version of Fili the MMA Fighting preview said looks sharpest, the one who sets distance and picks his