UFC on ESPN 72: Andre Fili vs Christian Rodriguez Preview & Prediction

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Andre Fili vs Christian Rodriguez facts

What time are Andre Fili and Christian Rodriguez expected to walk out?

Where is UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez? UFC Apex, Enterprise, USA

Where can I get tickets for UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ESPN 72

What TV channel is UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+

Where can I stream UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass

UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez main card

Roman Dolidze vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)

Steve Erceg vs Ode' Osbourne (Bantamweight)

Iasmin Lucindo vs Angela Hill (Women’s Strawweight)

Andre Fili vs Christian Rodriguez (Featherweight)

Miles Johns vs Jean Matsumoto (Bantamweight)

Eryk Anders vs Christian Leroy Duncan (Middleweight)

UFC on ESPN: Dolidze vs Hernandez prelims

Julius Walker vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)

Elijah Smith vs Toshiomi Kazama (Bantamweight)

Joselyne Edwards vs Priscila Cachoeira (Women’s Bantamweight)

Uros Medic vs Gilbert Urbina (Welterweight)

Gabriella Fernandes vs Julija Stoliarenko (Women’s Flyweight)

Cody Brundage vs Eric McConico (Light Heavyweight)

Andre Fili: Can “Touchy” turn back the years for the upset?

A mainstay of the UFC’s featherweight division for more than a decade, Andre Fili (24-12, 1 NC) has fought a who’s-who at 145 pounds since 2013, sharing the Octagon with the likes of Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, and Dan Ige to name but a few. A rangy and creative striker, the Team Alpha Male representative seemed poised to break through to the division’s upper echelons on multiple occasions, only to come up short when faced with a notable step up in competition. “Touchy” enters this contest off the back off a submission defeat to Melquizael Costa in February, succumbing to a guillotine choke late in the first round.

Christian Rodriguez: Will Rodriguez’s mental block cause him to stumble as the favorite once again?

Standing across the Octagon from Fili will be Roufusport Academy standout, Christian Rodriguez (12-3). Despite entering many of his fights as a considerable underdog, “CeeRod” has carved out a reputation for himself as one of the most prolific prospect-killers in recent memory, defying the odds to take the “0’s” of Cameron Saiman, Austin Bashi, and Raul Rosas Jr. throughout his UFC tenure. A supremely well-rounded fighter, Rodriguez’s inconsistency is somewhat baffling. The American shines when the deck is stacked against him, only to come up short when he is favored against the likes of Julian Erosa and Melziquael Costa.

Andre Fili vs Christian Rodriguez prediction

Considering that the bookmakers seem to be siding with Rodriguez, it is hard to escape the feeling that he may very well come undone against Fili if history repeats itself here. While he is considerably younger than the Team Alpha Male veteran, it is worth noting that “CeeRod” also faces a notable height and reach discrepancy against the rangy veteran. However, the pair’s defeats against Melquizael Costa in their last outings tell a different story; Fili was finished with relative ease, whereas Rodriguez made matters extremely competitive.

A decision victory for the Roufusport representative looks like the most likely outcome here, particularly if this fight primarily takes place on the feet. At 35, Fili has clearly lost a step when it comes to speed, an aspect that he has heavily relied on success for throughout his career. Only one year removed from a brutal knockout loss to Dan Ige, “Touchy” has also taken a huge amount of damage throughout his long career, posing the question as to whether the years of wear and tear have irrevocably caught up with him.

Fili could potentially have moments of success in this one, but Father Time remains undefeated in Octagon for a reason. Rodriguez outstrikes the veteran across 3 rounds to take home a close decision.