Anthony Avila And Andre Fili Hope To Get Into UFC
Posted by Joseph Lee on 09.07.2012
Hopefully after their next one or two fights...
Featherweights Anthony Avila (8-1) and Andre Fili (9-1) spoke with MMA Junkie recently and said they hope to be in the UFC within their next one or two Tachi Palace fights.
The two are teammates on Urijah Faber's Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, California. At tonight's Tachi Palce 14, Avila will face Sergio Quinones (7-11) and Fili will take on Ricky Wallace (11-3). The event takes place at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California. The co-main event is a 145-pound title fight between champion Georgi Karakhanyan and Micah Miller. Either Avila or Fili could be the next challengers if they win their fights. Here are highlights from the interview:
Fili on their future: "The spot we're both in is interchangeable. We're both one or two fights away from going to the big show. We're both starting to get a bit of buzz around our name. We have similar records, and we're on the same team. It's just good to have someone to take that journey with, to have a great friend with you there."
Avila on having his father's approval after his lone career loss: "My last fight, about a week after, [my dad] texted me out of nowhere [to say he's proud]. My dad's one of those tough, older Mexican pops, and he doesn't really do that, so it meant a lot to me."
Fili on his first few fights: "My first four fights were knockouts within the first five minutes. It wasn't because I was a technical fighter. I was just fighting out of pure fear. I never wanted to see the second round ever."
