Another Fili locked down the best finish of the night last weekend (Saturday, October 10, 2026) in Las Vegas, Nevada, eliminating Kai Kamaka III at UFC Vegas 122 with a devastating headbutt (see it again here).
But perhaps just as impressive was his decision to pull back a huge follow-up shot at the last second when he saw that Kamaka III was out cold. According to “Touchy”, he had no reason to cause more harm to a man who was clearly already unconscious.
“I say it all the time: I’m a criminal, but I’m not shit,” Fili said. during his post-fight interview (via MMA fight). “I don’t litter. I treat people with respect. And if I knock someone out, there’s no reason to take that extra throw. He’s got kids, he’s got a wife, he’s got a future outside of fighting. It’s just not necessary, man. I hope he’s OK. I didn’t even want to watch the replay.
“Hurt people is part of the sport,” Fili added. “I like to be good at fighting. I like to win fights. I like to get paid to win fights. I like to be on TV. Hurting people is a byproduct of that; it’s not a driving force for me. So I don’t take that extra shot.”
Fighting until the referee puts an end to it has long been a talking point in mixed martial arts (MMA), with just as many fighters inclined to punch their opponent until the referee intervenes, while others feel they know when to stop punching.
One of the most talked about finishes focused on this point was Jorge Masvidalthe decision to deliver one blow after another Ben Askren after helping him settle with a massive knee in the opening seconds of the fight UFC 239 (see it again here), which created another dimension of “Funky”. After the fight, “Gamebred” delivered one of the most iconic lines that is still used today, stating that hitting Askren to make sure the job was done and the strikes were “absolutely necessary.“
As for Fili, his win over Kamaka III ended his two-fight losing streak, giving him his first win in over a year, as well as a nice $100,000 post-fight bonus check.
