Andre Fili credits willingness to learn for UFC longevity
The UFC veteran believes his readiness to keep learning has helped him remain competitive at 36 years old.
Andre Fili will compete for the 41st time in his career when he steps inside the Octagon on Saturday. At 36 years old, the American featherweight is expected to face Kai Kamaka III at UFC Vegas 122, confident that he is still competitive despite his age. Fili believes that his willingness to learn from younger athletes is one of the main differences between him and other veterans from his generation.
Andre Fili Continues to Learn From Younger Fighters
Fili has spent more than a decade competing in the UFC. However, despite his long career, the veteran believes he has avoided becoming complacent throughout the years. Rather than feeling that he has learned everything there is to learn, the American continues to train with younger athletes and high-level competitors from different disciplines.
"What sets me apart from a lot of the guys that are of my generation is they hit a place where they feel they've learned everything there is to learn," Fili said during Wednesday's media day. "I never hit that place. I'm always learning. I'm training with guys who are 19, 20, 21-year-old competition purple belt jiu-jitsu guys, coming up with new sh*t every day. I'm training with young, high-level boxers. I'm training with guys that are in the top of their field, that are a decade younger than me. I turned 36 a few months ago, but I still feel like a kid."
Andre Fili Open to Any Path to Victory
Riding a two-fight losing streak, Fili enters the matchup looking to turn the tide. In fact, the veteran is open to finding different ways to return to the win column, including showing a submission game he has never displayed in the UFC.
Rather than entering the matchup focused on one specific way of beating Kamaka, Fili is simply looking to perform at his highest level. The American is confident that this could result in a quick knockout, an exciting three-round fight or even a submission.
"I'm focused on going out and performing to my highest potential," Fili said. "If that manifests in a very fast knockout, that would be cool. And if that manifests in a really exciting three-round war, that'll be cool. I've got a really sick submission game, too, and nobody has ever seen it. So maybe we'll see it Saturday. They're all good options."
Meanwhile, Kamaka is also coming off a loss and will look to rebound on Saturday. The American is set to make his third UFC appearance.
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