Andre Fili picked up a split decision victory over Charles Jourdain in the main card of Fight Night: Eye vs Calvillo. Despite getting knocked down early in the first round, Andre Fili recovered quickly and played a very smart fight going forward. The fight could have gone either way. Charles Jourdain dropped Andre Fili early in the first round but failed to finish the fight. While one would have thought that Jourdain was ahead in the judges’ scorecards, Fili was able to get a takedown and finished the first with a dominant position. Something similar went down in the second round, where despite some incredible calf kicks, and combinations from Jourdain, Fili earned quick points with multiple takedowns and proved effective with some of his own combinations. Going into the third round, many had it was 1-1 for both the fighters at the end of the second.
It was a very close fight, however, Fili was able to get multiple takedowns again in the third round. Despite Andre Fili not being able to secure the takedown, he finished the first and third round on full mount, earning points in the judges’ scorecards. There is an argument to be made that Jourdain was more effective with his leg kicks to the body, and calf kicks, both the fighters were equally brilliant on the feet.
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“I don’t like to have strict game plans, I like to have a freestyle approach. It’s acting -reacting when you are in there, I was doing that and it worked out.” Fili said in the post-fight interview.
According to the unofficial scorecards, Jourdain was a step ahead in significant strikes in the first round, while Andre Fili picked up in the second and third rounds, with takedowns through the three rounds.
What’s next for Andre Fili?
Back in his groove! 🕺 #UFCVegas2 pic.twitter.com/C7Eg1VrUey
— UFC (@ufc) June 14, 2020
“I am tired of people looking at me like I am a regular UFC fighter, I am not a regular UFC fighter, I am an elite level UFC fighter. I want the best UFC 145 pounders.” Fili continues, “I want a big name next.” Andre Fili said in his post-fight interview.
After losing to Sodique Yusuff via unanimous decision at UFC 246, this was a much-needed victory for a veteran in his own rights, Andre Fili. Going forward, it will be interesting to see who Andre Fili faces next. There are several great options for Fili going forward in the form of Dan Ige, Jeremy Stephens, or even a rematch with Sodiq Yusuff.