Phil Davis
BornPhil Kwabina Davis[1]
(1984-09-25) September 25, 1984 (age 39)
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other namesMr. Wonderful
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Reach79 in (201 cm)[2]
StyleWrestling
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofChula Vista, California, U.S.
TeamLionHeart MMA (2008–2009)[3][4]
Alliance MMA (2009–present)[4]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Richie Martinez[5]
WrestlingNCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active2008–present (MMA)
Mixed martial arts record
Total32
Wins24
By knockout6
By submission5
By decision13
Losses7
By decision7
No contests1
Other information
UniversityPenn State University
Notable school(s)Harrisburg High School
Websitehttp://www.philmrwonderful.com/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 St. Louis 197 lb
Silver medal – second place 2006 Oklahoma City 197 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2006 Bloomington 197 lb
Gold medal – first place 2008 Park Ridge 197 lb

Phil Kwabina Davis[1] (born September 25, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes as a Light Heavyweight for Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion. Prior to signing with Bellator, Davis competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he achieved success as a top 5 Light Heavyweight contender and held a UFC record of 9–3 (1). He is currently ranked as the #7 Light Heavyweight fighter in the world by ranking site Fight Matrix.[6] Davis first gained athletic notoriety in college as a wrestler for Penn State University, where he became an NCAA Division I champion in 2008.

Background

Davis was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with his two older brothers, Jeffery and John. He began wrestling when he was in the seventh grade[7] and then attended Harrisburg High School where he was a four-year team captain and letterman, with a 112–17 career record. Davis also lettered in tennis and cross-country running. He then went on to wrestle for the Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling team, finishing in 5th place nationally in the 197 lb weight class as a junior in 2007[8] and then winning the (197 lbs) NCAA title in 2008. He finished with an overall wrestling record of 116–20 while at Penn State and was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American.[9] After graduating from Penn State, he began training with the newly formed LionHeart MMA team in State College, Pennsylvania.[10]

Mixed martial arts career

Davis' primary training partners were Paul Bradley, Lou Armezzani and Jimy Hettes. He also trained with many visiting fighters such as Dave Herman, Shanon Slack, Dominick Cruz, Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez. When the LionHeart team disbanded in 2009, Davis moved to San Diego, California, to continue his training with Alliance MMA.[4] Davis earned his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Lloyd Irvin in 2009.[citation needed] In 2009 he won the No Gi Grappling World Jiu-Jitsu Championship as a blue belt in the 221 lbs, Super Heavyweight division.[11] Davis began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2008, compiling a record of 4–0 in regional promotions across the United States.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Davis signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December 2009.[12]

First contender run

Davis made his UFC debut against Brian Stann on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109,[13] winning by unanimous decision.

Davis faced Alexander Gustafsson on April 10, 2010, at UFC 112.[14] Davis defeated Gustafsson via submission (anaconda choke) in the first round, giving Gustafsson his first loss.

Davis next faced Rodney Wallace on August 7, 2010, at UFC 117, replacing the injured Stanislav Nedkov.[15][16] Davis controlled the bout with his wrestling and won by unanimous decision.

Davis fought Tim Boetsch on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123.[17] He won by a one-handed modified kimura submission later dubbed the "Mr. Wonderful." He was awarded $80,000 for Submission of the Night and received the Submission of the Year award from MMANews247.com.[18]

Davis was expected to face Matt Hamill in Toronto at UFC 129.[19] However, Hamill was tapped as a replacement for Thiago Silva against Rampage Jackson at UFC 130. Davis was offered a fight against Jason Brilz,[20] but then he replaced the injured Tito Ortiz on 6 weeks' notice against Antônio Rogério Nogueira in his first UFC main event on March 26, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 24.[21] Davis defeated Nogueira by unanimous decision.

When UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones pulled out of a long-awaited title fight for Rashad Evans, Phil Davis agreed to fight Evans on August 6, 2011, at UFC 133,[22] but on July 12, Davis pulled out of the event with a knee injury and was replaced by Tito Ortiz.[23] Davis was announced to face Lyoto Machida on December 10, 2011, at UFC 140, however, shortly after, it was revealed that Davis was still recovering from a knee injury and the fight did not occur.[24]

Davis faced former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans in a number one contender fight on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox 2.[25] Despite Davis' substantial wrestling credentials, Evans dominated him on the canvas, coasting to a unanimous decision.

Second contender run

Davis was expected to face Chad Griggs on August 4, 2012, at UFC on FOX 4.[26] However, Griggs was forced out of the bout with an injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Wagner Prado.[27] The fight was ruled "No Contest" after an accidental eye poke at 1:28 of round 1 rendered Prado unable to continue. A rematch with Prado, briefly linked to UFC on FX 5, took place on October 13, 2012, at UFC 153.[28] Davis won the rematch with a second round anaconda choke submission.

Davis was expected to face Forrest Griffin on December 29, 2012, at UFC 155.[29] However, in early December, Griffin pulled out of the bout, citing a knee injury.[30] Davis faced Vinny Magalhães in a wrestler vs. BJJ specialist fight on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159.[31] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

On August 3, 2013, at UFC 163, Davis won a controversial unanimous decision against former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida.[32] Davis' only significant advantage was ground and pound following take-downs in the last minute of rounds one and two. While ESPN scored the fight for Davis,[33] 13 selected UFC affiliate media outlets scored the fight in favor of Machida.[34] An SP Nation fanpost stated, "Some MMA commentators and bloggers scored the fight 30–27 for Lyoto Machida."[35] UFC president Dana White tweeted shortly after the fight that he had Machida winning all three rounds,[36] and later told Yahoo! Sports "Machida definitely won", "MMA judging sucks", and his oft-repeated advice: "Never leave it in the hands of the judges."[37] Machida left the light heavyweight division and went on to fight for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

With an official win over the highly ranked Machida, Davis looked to move into title contention against Anthony "Rumble" Johnson who returned to the UFC[38] riding a six-fight win streak at light heavyweight (including one heavyweight fight) outside the promotion, following his disastrous and much-criticised previous UFC run at welterweight. Despite Davis being a considerable betting favorite, on April 26, 2014, in the co-main event at UFC 172, Johnson shut down Davis' wrestling game and kept the fight standing, where his pronounced edge in the striking won him all three rounds in a unanimous decision.

Leading up to the UFC 172 event, Davis actively baited UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones on a media promotion conference call.[39] Later, he disparaged Jones' achievements against undersized competition, claiming "against actual light heavyweights, he's been so-so". He predicted that he would soon claim the title, while explicitly dismissing the challenge of his own booked opponent Anthony Johnson.[40] Jones, who defended the UFC Light Heavyweight title against Glover Teixeira at the same event, took pleasure in mocking Davis' loss at the post-fight press conference,[41] and later on-line.[42]

Final UFC fights

After UFC 172, Davis faced Glover Teixeira who was coming off a loss to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones on the same card. The fight took place October 25, 2014, at UFC 179.[43] He utilized his wrestling advantage and won the fight by unanimous decision.[44]

Having just one fight left of his UFC contract, Davis faced Ryan Bader on January 24, 2015, at UFC on Fox 14.[45] He lost the fight by a close split decision. He did not re-sign with the UFC. Davis finished his UFC career with a record of 9–3 (1) within the promotion.

Bellator MMA

Following his final fight in the UFC, Davis parted from the organization and signed with Bellator MMA on April 15, 2015.[46]

Road to the title

Davis made his debut as a participant in Bellator's one-night Light Heavyweight tournament at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 on September 19, 2015.[47] He faced Emanuel Newton in the opening round[48] and won by submission due to a kimura.[49] He was scheduled to face Muhammed Lawal in the final.[50] However, Lawal was unable to advance to the finals due to a rib injury and was replaced by alternate Francis Carmont.[51] Davis won the bout via knockout in the first round.[52][53]

By winning the tournament, Davis was set up to face Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Liam McGeary at a yet-to-be-determined event.[54] However, on February 19, 2016, it was announced that Davis next opponent would be Muhammed Lawal in a no 1 contender fight on May 14, 2016, at Bellator 154.[55] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[56]

Davis faced Liam McGeary for the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016.[57] He won the bout via unanimous decision to become the new Bellator Light Heavyweight champion.

Title and post-title reign

Davis faced his former opponent Ryan Bader again in a title fight on June 24, 2017, at Bellator 180.[58] Bader and Davis first met at UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson on January 24, 2015, with Bader winning by split decision.[59] He was defeated again via split decision, thus losing the Bellator title.[60]

Davis faced undefeated Brazilian fighter Leo Leite on November 3, 2017, at Bellator 186.[61] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Davis faced Linton Vassell on May 25, 2018, at Bellator 200.[62] He won the fight via knock out due to a head kick in round three.[63]

Davis faced Vadim Nemkov on November 15, 2018, Bellator 209.[64] He lost the fight via split decision.[65]

Davis next faced Liam McGeary at Bellator 220 on April 27, 2019.[66] He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

On August 15, 2019, it was announced that Davis had signed an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year contract extension with Bellator.[67] In his first fight on that contract, Davis faced Karl Albrektsson at Bellator 231 on October 25, 2019.[68] He won the fight via TKO in the third round.

Davis headlined Bellator 245 in a rematch against Lyoto Machida on September 11, 2020.[69] He won the fight by split decision.

Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix

On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Davis would be participating in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament. Davis is scheduled to face Vadim Nemkov for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship in the quarterfinal round. This will be a rematch of their November 2018 bout, which saw Nemkov win via split decision. The bout took place at Bellator 257 on April 16.[70] Davis lost the bout via unanimous decision, with Nemkov controlling the first three rounds on the feet.[71]

Post Grand Prix

Davis faced Yoel Romero, who was making his Bellator debut, on September 18, 2021, at Bellator 266.[72] He won the bout via split decision.[73] Five out of five media outlets scored the fight for Davis.[74]

Davis faced Julius Anglickas on March 12, 2022, at Bellator 276.[75] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[76]

Davis faced Corey Anderson on June 16, 2023, at Bellator 297.[77] He lost the fight via split decision.[78]

Professional grappling career

Davis will compete at EBI 21: The Absolutes on June 2, 2024.[79]

Championships and achievements

Collegiate wrestling

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
32 matches 24 wins 7 losses
By knockout 6 0
By submission 5 0
By decision 13 7
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 24–7 (1) Corey Anderson Decision (split) Bellator 297 June 16, 2023 3 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win 24–6 (1) Julius Anglickas Decision (unanimous) Bellator 276 March 12, 2022 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 23–6 (1) Yoel Romero Decision (split) Bellator 266 September 18, 2021 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States
Loss 22–6 (1) Vadim Nemkov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 257 April 16, 2021 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. For the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship.
Win 22–5 (1) Lyoto Machida Decision (split) Bellator 245 September 11, 2020 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 21–5 (1) Karl Albrektsson TKO (punches) Bellator 231 October 25, 2019 3 3:06 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 20–5 (1) Liam McGeary TKO (jaw injury) Bellator 220 April 27, 2019 3 4:11 San Jose, California, United States
Loss 19–5 (1) Vadim Nemkov Decision (split) Bellator 209 November 15, 2018 3 5:00 Tel Aviv, Israel
Win 19–4 (1) Linton Vassell KO (head kick) Bellator 200 May 25, 2018 3 1:05 London, England
Win 18–4 (1) Leonardo Leite Decision (unanimous) Bellator 186 November 3, 2017 3 5:00 University Park, Pennsylvania, United States
Loss 17–4 (1) Ryan Bader Decision (split) Bellator 180 June 24, 2017 5 5:00 New York City, New York, United States Lost the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship.
Win 17–3 (1) Liam McGeary Decision (unanimous) Bellator 163 November 4, 2016 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Won the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship.
Win 16–3 (1) Muhammed Lawal Decision (unanimous) Bellator 154 May 14, 2016 3 5:00 San Jose, California, United States Bellator Light Heavyweight world title eliminator.
Win 15–3 (1) Francis Carmont KO (punches) Bellator 142: Dynamite 1 September 19, 2015 1 2:15 San Jose, California, United States Won the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix.
Win 14–3 (1) Emanuel Newton Submission (kimura) 1 4:39 Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Semifinal.
Loss 13–3 (1) Ryan Bader Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson January 24, 2015 3 5:00 Stockholm, Sweden
Win 13–2 (1) Glover Teixeira Decision (unanimous) UFC 179 October 25, 2014 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 12–2 (1) Anthony Johnson Decision (unanimous) UFC 172 April 26, 2014 3 5:00 Baltimore, Maryland, United States UFC Light Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win 12–1 (1) Lyoto Machida Decision (unanimous) UFC 163 August 3, 2013 3 5:00 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Win 11–1 (1) Vinny Magalhães Decision (unanimous) UFC 159 April 27, 2013 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win 10–1 (1) Wagner Prado Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 153 October 13, 2012 2 4:29 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
NC 9–1 (1) Wagner Prado NC (accidental eye poke) UFC on Fox: Shogun vs. Vera August 4, 2012 1 1:28 Los Angeles, California, United States Accidental eye poke rendered Prado unable to continue.
Loss 9–1 Rashad Evans Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis January 28, 2012 5 5:00 Chicago, Illinois, United States UFC Light Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win 9–0 Antônio Rogério Nogueira Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis March 26, 2011 3 5:00 Seattle, Washington, United States
Win 8–0 Tim Boetsch Submission (modified kimura) UFC 123 November 20, 2010 2 2:55 Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States Submission of the Night.
Win 7–0 Rodney Wallace Decision (unanimous) UFC 117 August 7, 2010 3 5:00 Oakland, California, United States
Win 6–0 Alexander Gustafsson Submission (anaconda choke) UFC 112 April 10, 2010 1 4:55 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 5–0 Brian Stann Decision (unanimous) UFC 109 February 6, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–0 David Baggett Submission (rear-naked choke) Ultimate Cage FC 1 June 27, 2009 1 3:37 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 3–0 Terry Cohens TKO (punches) Ultimate Warrior Challenge 6 April 25, 2009 1 4:29 Fairfax, Virginia, United States
Win 2–0 Josh Green TKO (punches) PFC 12: High Stakes January 22, 2009 1 1:49 Lemoore, California, United States
Win 1–0 Brett Chism Decision (unanimous) No Boundary 1 October 11, 2008 2 5:00 Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

[86]

NCAA record

NCAA Championships Matches Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event 2008 NCAA Championships at 197 lbs Win 15–5 Wynn Michalak 7–2 March 22, 2008 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 14–5 Dallas Herbst 6–0 Win 13–5 Hudson Taylor 7–3 Win 12–5 Logan Brown 9–2 Win 11–5 Riley Orozco Fall 2007 NCAA Championships 5th at 197 lbs Loss 10–5 J.D Bergman 4–5 March 16, 2007 2007 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Loss 10–4 Kurt Backes 4–5 Win 10–3 Jerry Rinaldi 6–3 Win 9–3 Travis Gardner Fall Win 8–3 Ryan Goodman 9–3 2006 NCAA Championships at 197 lbs Loss 7–3 Jake Rosholt 3–10 March 18, 2006 2006 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 7–2 Jerry Rinaldi 7–4 Win 6–2 B.J Padden 6–5 Win 5–2 Ryan Goodman 6–2 Win 4–2 Jon Oplinger 11–0 2005 NCAA Championships 7th at 197 lbs Loss 3–2 Wynn Michalak 5–6 March 18, 2005 2005 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 3–1 Chris Skretkowicz 12–6 Loss 2–1 Jake Rosholt 4–9 Win 2–0 Ryan Bader 3–1 Win 1–0 Jerry Rinaldi 7–1

See also

References

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  36. ^ White, Dana. "Wow!!! I had Machida winning all 3 rds but that's what happens when u leave it up to the judges!".
  37. ^ Dana is also notable for preferring the spectacle of aesthetic fighting over the imperative of sporting merit. Lyoto Machida says 'positive thinking' key to coping with difficult loss
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  83. ^ "UFC 123 bonuses: Four Fighters earn $80K". sherdog.com. November 20, 2010.
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  85. ^ "MMA News 247 Awards 2010". mmanews247.com. January 2, 2011. Archived from the original on January 31, 2011.
  86. ^ Sherdog.com. "Phil". Sherdog. Retrieved November 21, 2018.

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Media related to Phil Davis (fighter) at Wikimedia Commons

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