[autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] is still [autotag]Andre Fili[/autotag]’s featherweight GOAT.
Fili (22-9 MMA, 10-8 UFC) is closing in on 10 years with the UFC, and has been part of the organization during Aldo, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski’s championship reigns.
Despite Holloway and Volkanovski’s accolades at 145 pounds, Fili thinks the record holder for most title defenses and recent UFC Hall of Fame inductee Aldo is the greatest fighter in the history of the division.
“Jose Aldo is the answer for me. Jose Aldo is on my Mount Rushmore,” Fili told MMA Junkie at Thursday’s media day for UFC Fight Night 224 in London. “I think Jose Aldo is an incredible fighter – once-in-a-lifetime fighter. He’s incredible. I think you’ve got to throw Max Holloway’s name in there, too. Shout out to Max Holloway. I love the dude. He’s a great person and was a great champion. And also a lot of respect to Volk, because Volk has been doing some really special things. It’s been cool to see everything that Volk has accomplished.
“Everyone that’s a ’45er is my competition, but I also don’t have any jealousy or envy. That’s not a trait that I have. I’m focused on myself, so I can look at someone like Volk and it’s really cool to see what he’s done. Holloway, I consider a friend and I love seeing Holloway win fights and do well. But to me, the GOAT at ’45 is Aldo. I’ll always be Aldo.”
Fili has competed against the who’s who at featherweight – including Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, and Calvin Kattar. He returns to action on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 224 main card when he takes on Nathaniel Wood at The O2 in London. The event streams on ESPN+.
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.