7. Cub Swanson vs Andre Fili (UFC 303)
On a week with several unusual matchups, Cub Swanson vs Andre Fili is exactly the low-weight, violent sort of striking duel that the doctor ordered. Cub Swanson is a legend with over forty pro fights, half of them in the UFC, none of them boring, and one of them residing in the Hall of Fame today. That legendary fight against Doo-ho Choi is one of the most violent of all time, and Andre Fili is the type of opponent who is willing and able to participate in fights like that.
Entering the #UFCHoF this Summer! 👏
Relive that epic Cub Swanson vs Doo Ho Choi matchup! pic.twitter.com/Eebhx4dOlP
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) April 12, 2022
‘Touchy’ Fili is constantly in skillful, flowy striking battles, and possesses the full MMA game to force most opponents to stand with him. Max Holloway once called him the hardest hitter he ever faced, which is high praise coming from a man who fought Aldo, Poirier, Gaethje, etc. His most recent war was a back and forth duel with chaos merchant Bill Algeo, but he has been entertaining fans for more than a decade in the UFC alone now.
When Andre Fili went full super saiyan pic.twitter.com/viHqdg5pTX
— 🌴ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ🌴 (@TheArtOfWar6) October 27, 2021
Although Cub’s age — forty-one — and Fili’s form –two wins in the last seven — are concerning and lower the quality of this fight and its spot among the best fights of the week, they are two fighters who just are never in boring fights, unless perhaps they face a dominant wrestler/top-control player. The boxing exchanges will be crisp and lightning fast, and there is no way either man leaves the octagon unscathed in a matchup between fighters this offensively potent on the feet.
-Val Dewar
