PHOENIX – Andre Fili (19-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) found a home for his jab early and often, and it propelled him to a clearcut decision win over Myles Jury (17-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC).

The featherweight bout opened the main card of today’s UFC on ESPN 1 event at Talking Stick Resort Arena. It aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+ and ESPN.

Fili was aggressive to start the contest, rushing out and firing a jab before chopping at the legs. Jury moved well in reply, slipping and looking for counters. A Fili right hand was the first real shot of consequence to land, but both men looked content to strike. Fili continued to fire out quick jabs and slapping low kicks, and the punches drew blood from his opponent’s nose.

As the round wore on, Jury was able to find his range a bit, as well, but Fili continued to land more frequently. He kept the attacks simple, but they were effective. The occasional right hand would come forward as well, though it was largely all based on the lead hand. Fury showed life in the final minute with a crisp strike that landed clean, and Fili was forced to respect the attacks.

Jury was quicker to engage in the second, looking to steal some momentum. However, Fili adjusted quickly and again used the jab to set the tone. Right hands were traded, and blood continued to pour from Jury’s nose. Fili was more mobile, sticking and moving with quick strikes, though Jury was finding moments to counter, eventually drawing blood from his opponent’s nose, as well.

The two continued to trade as the round wore on, with neither man overwhelming the other. However, Jury eventually uncorked a perfect spinning backfist that landed clean and sent Fili toppling to the canvas. Jury rushed forward and jumped on top, moving to mount, though Fili was able to scramble and quickly recover guard, where the round finished.

With the fight hanging in the balance in the third, both men came out looking to strike. Fili’s jab was sharp, and he continued to chop the legs, though Fury smiled at him and asked for more. Fili continued to jab, and Jury tried to counter each time. Fili whiffed on a high kick but laced out a few right hands that did land, and blood again was smeared over Jury’s face.

At the halfway mark, a Jury right briefly buckled Fili’s legs, but he shook it off quickly. Jury seemed content to hunt those power counters, while Fili was happy to play lead, racking up points with his volume. The crowd grew restless in the closing minute, but Fili stuck to his gameplan, sticking and moving and looking to avoid the returns. The fight finished on the feet, and Fili was awarded a decision win, 29-28 on all three cards.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 1 results include:

• Andre Fili def. Myles Jury via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Aljamain Sterling def. Jimmie Rivera via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Manny Bermudez def. Benito Lopez via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 1, 3:09
• Andrea Lee def. Ashlee Evans-Smith via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Nik Lentz def. Scott Holtzman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Luke Sanders def. Renan Barao via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:01
• Emily Whitmire def. Aleksandra Albu via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:01

For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN 1, check out the UFC Events section of the site.