\n<\/p>\n
Andre Fili has been doing this long enough that very little inside the UFC feels new anymore, but somehow the fire is still there.<\/p>\n
As Fili gets ready to throw down with Kai Kamaka III on Saturday night, the longtime featherweight isn\u2019t talking like somebody hanging around for a few more paychecks. He\u2019s still obsessed with getting better, still loves fighting, and believes Kamaka is about to find out there\u2019s a reason \u2018Touchy\u2019 is still here after all these years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really excited to perform, to show what I\u2019ve been working on, to show that I\u2019m still growing even though I\u2019ve been here for so long,\u201d Fili told reporters on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is has been my home. I\u2019ve gotten to grow up in this sport and in this company, but I\u2019m still growing. I\u2019m still getting better, I\u2019m still learning, I think that\u2019s what sets me apart. Still in love with this game.\u201d<\/p>\n
At this point in Fili\u2019s career, fight week isn\u2019t just about wins, rankings or whatever comes next. He\u2019s still fired up to compete, but these days he\u2019s just as grateful that he gets to beat people up for a living and then go home and be Dad.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as emotions\u2026excitement and really predominantly gratitude. I\u2019m just grateful, life is beautiful, I wake up every day, I do what I love. I come home, I get to be a dad, and it doesn\u2019t not get better than that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Fili knows exactly what Kamaka is bringing on Saturday night, and he\u2019s expecting this one to get nasty in a hurry. Two tough Hawaiians, neither dude interested in backing up, and Fili believes once they start throwing, he\u2019s simply got more weapons to work with.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a great fight. He\u2019s a tough Hawaiian kid, I\u2019m a tough Hawaiian kid, we\u2019re going to put on a fight. I think you guys know how that goes, right, we\u2019re going to put on a show for you guys,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s good everywhere, I think I\u2019m better everywhere, and I\u2019m going to go show that.\u201d<\/p>\n