Andre Fili puzzled by split scoring in UFC on ESPN 72 win over Christian Rodriguez
LAS VEGAS – Andre Fili thought he had the win in the bag, but not everyone agreed with him.
Fili (25-12 MMA, 13-11 UFC) went to a decision with Christian Rodriguez (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 72 at the UFC Apex. "Touchy" Fili felt confident in his work, but was surprised one judge scored the fight for Rodriguez, making the bout a split decision win for Fili.
The 35-year-old is relieved to leave the cage as the winner, but he can't help but wonder how one judge saw the fight for his opponent.
"I have to go back and watch it. When you're in the fight, it's had to tell exactly what's going on, but I didn't think it was a split decision," Fili told reporters at the UFC on ESPN 72 post-fight press conference. "I don't think there was any part of that fight that I really wasn't (winning). There was a takedown in the first off a body kick, but I feel like there weren't any moments (for h im). He did have a little bit of cage control, but if you watch him with everybody else, he's beating their ass. He's spinning elbowing, he's tripping them, and he didn't do that to me. I really do like Christian Rodriguez, I just don't see how he won the fight. I don't see how a judge could say he won the fight. Thank God that they got it right, and I get to go home with two checks."
Despite getting that one second scare during the reading of the scores, Fili is happy with his overall performance and result. With the win, Fili was able to bounce back from a submission loss to Melquizael Costa earlier this year, and now finds himself 2-2 in his last four outings.
"I stuck with the hands and I actually threw some leg kicks, I don't leg kick a lot, but tonight I threw some leg kicks," Fili said recalling his performance. "All in all, I think I showed a pretty well-rounded game. I can do everything. Next on the checklist is strangling somebody. I'll get a submission next fight."
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