Andre Fili Says He’s Having Fun in MMA Again, Talks Keeping Priorities Straight

Andre Fili spoke with MMAjunkie for a new interview ahead of his fight with Dennis Bermudez at UFC on FOX 27. Highlights are below:

On getting his groove back: “I’m back to having fun. I started treating this like a job. I started treating it like a 9-to-5, and I wasn’t really having fun. I was just sort of doing it to get through it and pay the bills. But I’m back to enjoying it again. I fell back in love with it. I remembered that I started doing this when I was 14 or 15, and my dream was to be in the UFC and be a world champion. I’m right on track. I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Some people never get that chance. … I’m just thankful to be in this spot.”

On keeping his priorities in order: “I barely leave my house. If I’m not at the gym, I’m home. If I’m not at the gym, I’m in bed reading comic books and hanging out with my girlfriend and my dog.”

Andre Fili keeping pressure on himself: “I’m from a lineage of dudes [at Team Alpha Male] who are the baddest motherf*ckers in this sport. If there’s pressure, it’s to keep up with them, to not fall behind. If there’s pressure, I put it on myself to kind of hold the team up. I’m supposed to be the next generation of this sort of dynasty. That’s all I give a shit about. I don’t care about anybody else’s team…Conor making a big spectacle, I loved it. Even in the moment, I loved it. I just enjoy that. I enjoy confrontation. I enjoy causing a scene, and everybody is looking on the edge of their seat. … It was a reminder to me, kind of put a stamp on things, that I love this.”

Andre Fili the UFC rankings: “I don’t know how those rankings work. They defy logic. I think this sport and life in general is pretty much a popularity contest. I’m co-main event, it’s a big stage, and when I knock this motherf*cker out, I’m getting my stock raised.”