Latest news with #Fili
USA Today
10-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Andre Fili puzzled by split scoring in UFC on ESPN 72 win over Christian Rodriguez
Andre Fili questions the judging at UFC on ESPN 72. 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."
USA Today
09-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 72: Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez odds, picks and predictions
In a 3-round featherweight bout on the main card, Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 72 -- also known as UFC Vegas 109 -- at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+), followed by the main card at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+). Their bout is expected to start around 8:15 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC on ESPN 72: Fili vs. Rodriguez odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Fili (24-12-0) | Rodriguez (12-3-0) Fili is looking to rebound from a Round 1 submission loss to Melquizael Costa in a Fight Night in late February. He has alternated losses and wins in each of the past 7 fights, and he is 4-6 with a no contest in the past 11 outings since UFC 246 in January 2020. He has finishes in 3 of the past 4 fights. Rodriguez is also coming off a loss to Costa, suffering a unanimous-decision loss in a Fight Night in Mexico City in late March. He has ended up going the distance in 5 of his past 6 fights, with just a Round 1 submission loss to Julian Erosa in July 2024. Fili, 35, enters the octagon with a 2.5-inch reach advantage. Both fighters land a similar number of significant strikes per minute -- 3.84 for Fili and 3.63 for Rodriguez -- but the 27-year-old Mexican is far more accurate, connecting on 57.25% of those attempts. Fili lands just 41.77%. Both fighters are effective on the mat, with Fili averaging 2.17 takedowns per 15 minutes and Rodriguez at 1.84. Rodriguez also has the edge in submissions, averaging 1.18 to Fili's 0.24. Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here. UFC on ESPN 72: Fili vs. Rodriguez odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:24 a.m. ET. UFC on ESPN 72: Fili vs. Rodriguez picks and predictions Fight result (2-way line or moneyline) Rodriguez (-235) will cost you well in excess of 2 times your potential return, and that's way too expensive for a standalone play. However, as part of a multi-leg parlay, including Rodriguez is perfectly acceptable. Fili has a slight reach edge, but Rodriguez's accuracy on significant strikes could sway the judges. If the fight goes to the ground, the advantage shifts to Rodriguez as well. AVOID, and let's look to the distance and method instead. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Over/Under YES (-185): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE? is a little on the pricey side, but it's OK to play if you want some action on the round betting. RODRIGUEZ BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+125) at plus-money is a strong play on the 7-way line, as he has ended up going the distance in 5 of the past 6 fights, and he knows what to do to get the judges in his favor. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.
USA Today
09-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez prediction, pick, start time for UFC on ESPN 71
Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez meet on the main card of UFC on ESPN 72 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. Last event: 4-2 UFC main cards, 2025: 76-58-1 Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez UFC on ESPN 72 preview Fili (24-12 MMA, 12-11 UFC) has traded wins and losses over his past seven appearances, and comes into this one after a first-round submission loss to Melquizael Costa in February. Prior to that, "Touchy" won a close split nod over Cub Swanson last June at UFC 303, which took Fight of the Night honors. ... Rodriguez (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) also fell victim to Costa this year, losing a unanimous decision in March. Before that, Rodriguez was on the right side of the judges' cards in a unanimous nod over Austin Bashi in January. Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez UFC on ESPN 72 expert pick, prediction Filling out the main card is a solid featherweight fight between Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez. I'm a big fan of both fighters, so picking this one was difficult. On one hand, it's nice to see Rodriguez getting some love from the oddsmakers and public alike after coming in as some unassuming talent that most wrote off. That said, it seems like Rodriguez is built to beat a specific kind of fighter, all while struggling against similar archetypes to Fili. I know Fili's last loss was not a good look, but it's usually only dynamic athletes and finishers who have blown the 35-year-old out of the water – and I don't know if Rodriguez fits that bill. Add in Fili's ability to make fights close with his criminally underrated skill set, and I can't help but take a shot on him in this spot. The pick is Fili to edge out the scorecards in what should be a competitive fight from start to finish. Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez UFC on ESPN 72 odds The oddsmakers and the public favor the younger fighter, listing Rodriguez -245 and Fili +194 via FanDuel. Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez UFC on ESPN 72 start time, how to watch Fili and Rodriguez are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 8:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
USA Today
09-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC on ESPN 72: Andre Fili vs. Christian Rodriguez odds, picks and predictions
In a 3-round featherweight bout on the main card, Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez meet Saturday at UFC on ESPN 72 -- also known as UFC Vegas 109 -- at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The prelims begin at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+), followed by the main card at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN / ESPN+). Their bout is expected to start around 8:15 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's UFC odds around the UFC on ESPN 72: Fili vs. Rodriguez odds, and make our expert UFC picks and predictions. Records: Fili (24-12-0) | Rodriguez (12-3-0) Fili is looking to rebound from a Round 1 submission loss to Melquizael Costa in a Fight Night in late February. He has alternated losses and wins in each of the past 7 fights, and he is 4-6 with a no contest in the past 11 outings since UFC 246 in January 2020. He has finishes in 3 of the past 4 fights. Rodriguez is also coming off a loss to Costa, suffering a unanimous-decision loss in a Fight Night in Mexico City in late March. He has ended up going the distance in 5 of his past 6 fights, with just a Round 1 submission loss to Julian Erosa in July 2024. Fili, 35, enters the octagon with a 2.5-inch reach advantage. Both fighters land a similar number of significant strikes per minute -- 3.84 for Fili and 3.63 for Rodriguez -- but the 27-year-old Mexican is far more accurate, connecting on 57.25% of those attempts. Fili lands just 41.77%. Both fighters are effective on the mat, with Fili averaging 2.17 takedowns per 15 minutes and Rodriguez at 1.84. Rodriguez also has the edge in submissions, averaging 1.18 to Fili's 0.24. Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here. UFC on ESPN 72: Fili vs. Rodriguez odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:24 a.m. ET. UFC on ESPN 72: Fili vs. Rodriguez picks and predictions Fight result (2-way line or moneyline) Rodriguez (-235) will cost you well in excess of 2 times your potential return, and that's way too expensive for a standalone play. However, as part of a multi-leg parlay, including Rodriguez is perfectly acceptable. Fili has a slight reach edge, but Rodriguez's accuracy on significant strikes could sway the judges. If the fight goes to the ground, the advantage shifts to Rodriguez as well. AVOID, and let's look to the distance and method instead. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Over/Under YES (-185): FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE? is a little on the pricey side, but it's OK to play if you want some action on the round betting. RODRIGUEZ BY DECISION/TECHNICAL DECISION (+125) at plus-money is a strong play on the 7-way line, as he has ended up going the distance in 5 of the past 6 fights, and he knows what to do to get the judges in his favor. Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.
USA Today
23-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC Fight Night 252 video: Melquizael Costa breaks Andre Fili's decade-long submission-less streak
Melquizael Costa began his second UFC contract with the biggest win of his career. At UFC Fight Night 252 on Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Costa (22-7 MMA, 3-2 UFC) submitted longtime UFC veteran Andre Fili (24-12 MMA, 12-11 UFC) at 4:30 of Round 1. After a tactical battle on the feet, Fili took Costa down. Off his back, Costa snuck a guillotine choke and locked it for the tap. View this post on Instagram A post shared by UFC (@ufc) Costa, 28, has won back-to-back fights. A longtime training partner of Joanderson Brito under coach Joao Emilio, Costa and his training partners did their training camp at Brazilian Martial Arts Center in Somerville, Mass., rather than their native country of Brazil. Fili, 34, moves to 3-3 in his most recent six, alternating wins and losses. He's nearing his 12th year with the promotion, having debuted in 2013. Up-to-the-minute UFC Fight Night 252 results include: For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC Fight Night 252.
