Andre Fili


Andre Riley Givens better known by the name Andre Fili is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Featherweight division. Fili is of Samoan and Native Hawaiian descent and is currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background

Fili grew up in a broken home, where both of the parents were violent against each other and also their children. Fili's mother raised her kids alone, as her husband was serving jail time on multiple occasions and was not living in the house. The violent and unstable upbringing left its mark on Fili, and he started seeking out street brawls as a teenager. In 2009, Fili moved to Sacramento and while still under probation, he joined Team Alpha Male and began training mixed martial arts.

Mixed martial arts career

Fili made his professional debut on December 12, 2009 against Anthony Motley. Fili won the fight via TKO and won his next three fights via TKO as well. Fili suffered his first loss, by knee injury, against Strikeforce vet Derrick Burnsed. Fili bounced back from the loss winning his next 8 fights including a win over Strikeforce veteran Alexander Crispim.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Fili made his promotional debut on October 19, 2013 at UFC 166 against Jeremy Larsen. Fili, who was in the middle of a training camp for a welterweight bout in another promotion, took the featherweight fight on short notice to replace an injured Charles Oliveira. The bout was contested at a catchweight, as Fili was unable to make the required weight. Fili won the fight via TKO in the second round.
Fili faced Max Holloway on April 26, 2014 at UFC 172. He lost the fight via submission in the third round.
Fili was expected to face Sean Soriano on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. However, Fili was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Chas Skelly.
Fili faced Felipe Arantes on October 25, 2014 at UFC 179. He won via unanimous decision.
Fili faced Godofredo Pepey on March 21, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 62. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Fili was expected to face Clay Collard on September 5, 2015 at UFC 191. However, Fili was forced out of the bout with injury and replaced by Tiago Trator.
Fili faced Gabriel Benítez on November 21, 2015 at. He won the fight via knockout in the first round and also earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
Fili faced Yair Rodríguez on April 23, 2016 at UFC 197. Fili lost the fight via knockout in the second round.
Fili faced Hacran Dias on October 1, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 96, filling in for an injured Brian Ortega. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Fili was expected to face Doo Ho Choi on July 29, 2017 at UFC 214. However Choi pulled out of the fight and was replaced by promotional newcomer Calvin Kattar. Fili lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Fili faced Artem Lobov on October 21, 2017 at UFC Fight Night 118. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Fili faced Dennis Bermudez on January 27, 2018 at UFC on Fox 27. He won the fight via split decision.
Fili faced Michael Johnson on August 25, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 135. He lost the fight via split decision.
Fili faced Myles Jury on February 17, 2019 at. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Fili faced Sheymon Moraes on July 13, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 13. He won the fight via knockout in round one. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.
Fili faced Sodiq Yusuff on January 18, 2020 at UFC 246. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Fili faced Charles Jourdain on June 13, 2020 at. He won the bout via split decision.

Championships and awards