Featherweight action at UFC Vegas 109 on Saturday saw veteran Andre Fili paired up with Christian Rodriguez.
“Touchy” Fili had been trading wins and losses back to 2022 and was coming off a loss to Melquizael Costa; “Cee-Rod” had, in something of an unlikely coincidence, also lost to Costa in his last outing.
The first round saw both fighters exchange low leg kicks, as Rodriguez pressed Fili to the fence looking to land a massive overhand. The fighters entered the clinch as Rodriguez controlled Fili against the cage momentarily. As each returned to the center of the cage, Fili seemed hesitant to throw. Rodriguez landed a good low leg kick and followed it up with a fast jab upstairs. Fili threw a powerful left hook that didn’t find a home, as Rodriguez landed a kick to the legs.
Shortly after, Fili caught Rodriguez clean with the same counter left hook he missed moments earlier, rocking Rodriguez and forcing him to retreat. Rodriguez weathered the storm, and seemed to be recovered with a minute left in the round. Fili was darting in and out of range landing jabs and leg kicks, climbing back into the fight in terms of significant strikes. In a hope to change the momentum in the fight, Rodriguez landed a takedown against the fence with twenty seconds left.
A back and forth first round could have gone either way as this entertaining contest entered the second. Rodriguez threw back to back left hands that narrowly missed, as Fili partially connected with a head kick upstairs. Moments later Rodriguez was able grab a leg, but Fili defended well against the takedown.
Both fighters started to throw caution to the wind and exchange on the massive blows on the inside. Rodriguez forced the fight into the clinch, but Fili was able to separate and land a clean left hand counter. Fili seemed to be pulling away in the second round finding a home for his jab. A quality knee landed from Rodriguez in the clinch with five seconds left. Another close round saw Fili narrowly ahead on total strikes.
In the third, Rodriguez threw a jab and entered into the clinch. Forcing the fight to the fence Rodriguez looked for a takedown, landing knees to the leg of Fili. After separating Rodriguez landed a head kick but was drug to the ground by Fili giving up a massive takedown. Moving to he back of Rodriguez, Fili was quickly transitioning to a dominant position. Rodriguez was able to escape moments later, as both exchanged big shots in the center of the cage. After eating a big elbow, Fili landed another takedown presumably securing a victory. With a minute left in the fight Rodriguez scrambled up, eating a body kick on his way up. Each fighter stood and traded big shots as the final horn sounded. Fili should have earned himself a massive victory as a betting underdog.
After three rounds, the judges were split again. This time favoring Andre Fili. No clue how this fight could have been scored for Rodriguez, but at least the right fighter won the contest. Fili and Daniel Cormier stated they were surprised with the split decision but Fili gave credit to his opponent Christian Rodriguez, and humbly gave credit to his teammates and coaches as well.
Official Result: Andre Fili def. Christian Rodriguez by split decision (30–27, 29–28, 28–29)
