Andre Fili has spent nearly 13 years in the UFC, long enough to know when another punch is unnecessary. Twenty-two seconds into the second round Saturday at UFC Vegas 122, Fili landed a head kick that sent Kai Kamaka III crashing to the canvas at Meta APEX in Las Vegas. Fili started forward as Kamaka fell, then stopped himself because the fight was already over.
The knockout snapped a two-fight losing streak for the 36-year-old Fili and gave him his first victory since April 2025. It also produced one of the most memorable finishes of a UFC career that has now stretched across 28 Octagon appearances.
The first round had been competitive, with Fili switching stances and working to find his timing. Early in the second, he landed a left hook that hurt Kamaka, followed moments later by a combination and a right high kick that landed cleanly and ended the fight.
“Holy smokes,” came the immediate reaction from the broadcast booth as Kamaka went down.
Fili recognized immediately that no follow-up strike was needed.
“I didn’t land the extra shot at the end because it wasn’t necessary,” Fili said during his postfight interview.
When the knockout replay appeared on the arena screen, Fili initially turned away rather than watch Kamaka absorb the kick again.
“I don’t even want to see that,” he said. “I love Kai. Shout out to Kai. That’s rough.”
Still here after 13 years
The knockout carried more weight because of how long Fili has been doing this. He made his UFC debut in 2013 and said Saturday came roughly a week before the 13th anniversary of becoming a UFC fighter.
The career began as an idea while Fili watched the promotion on a small television in his bedroom.
“I saw the UFC on my little Sony TV in my bedroom, my little 11-inch TV,” Fili said. “I decided I was going to do this for the rest of my life.”
Nearly 13 years later, he was standing in the Octagon with another highlight added to a career that has already lasted longer than most.
“I’m 36. I’m still here,” Fili said. “Y’all going to be stuck with me for a long time.”
Fili said becoming a father about a year and a half ago changed his outlook. He also used his postfight interview to recognize the heritage he shares with Kamaka and argue that Polynesian fighters deserve greater recognition.
“I don’t hear enough about Polynesian fighters,” Fili said. “You just saw two Hawaiian Samoan Islanders go to war.”
He pointed to the history of Polynesian fighters in the UFC and their place among the promotion’s contenders and champions.
“All my Islanders, all my Usos, stand up,” Fili said.
Pizza before the next fight
After 28 UFC appearances, Fili was asked what he wanted next. There was no callout and no demand for a ranked opponent.
“I want to get pizza, go home to my beautiful wife and my beautiful son,” Fili said. “Don’t talk to me about fighting for a week.”
After nearly 13 years in the UFC, Fili can think about the next opponent later.
On Saturday, 22 seconds of the second round were enough.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
