Phil Davis

Phil Kwabina Davis ^[1] (born September 25, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights in Ultimate Fighting Championship's light heavyweight division. Davis is currently ranked the #6 light heavyweight in the world by Sherdog.^[2]

Biography

Davis was a collegiate wrestler at Penn State, finishing in 5th place nationally in the 197 lb weight class as a junior in 2007 ^[3] and then winning the (197 lbs) NCAA title in 2008. He finished with an overall wrestling record of 116–15 while at Penn State and was a four-time NCAA Division I All-American.^[4] After graduating from Penn State, he began training with the newly formed LionHeart MMA team, coached by Jeff Rockwell (BJJ), TJ Turner (boxing), Mark Miller, (kickboxing/Muay Thai), Matt Kocher (wrestling/S&C) and Ryan Gruhn (Muay Thai) in State College, PA.^[5]

His primary training partners were Paul Bradley, Lou Armezzani, and Jimy Hettes, and also trained with many visiting fighters such as Dave Herman, Shannon Slack, Dominick Cruz and Jon Jones. He has also trained with former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. When the LionHeart team disbanded in 2009, Davis moved to San Diego, California to continue his training with Alliance MMA. Davis earned his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Lloyd Irvin in 2009. In 2009 he won the No Gi Grappling World Jiu-Jitsu Championship as a blue belt in the 221 lbs, Super Heavyweight division.^{[6][dead link]} 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.^[7] Davis made his UFC debut against Brian Stann on February 6, 2010 at UFC 109.^[8] Davis won via unanimous decision.^[9] Davis faced Alexander Gustafsson on April 10, 2010 at UFC 112.^[10] Davis defeated Gustafsson via submission (anaconda choke) in the first round.^[11][12] Davis faced Rodney Wallace on August 7, 2010 at UFC 117, replacing an injured Stanislav Nedkov.^[12][13] Davis controlled the bout and won via unanimous decision.^[14][15] Davis faced Tim Boetsch on November 20, 2010 at UFC 123.^[16] He won by a modified kimura submission dubbed the "Mr. Wonderful."^[17] He was awarded $80,000 for Submission of the Night and received the Submission of the Year award from MMANews247.com.^[18][19]

Davis was expected to face Matt Hamill in Toronto at UFC 129, but Matt Hamill was tapped as a replacement for Thiago Silva in UFC 130. Davis was then offered a fight against Jason Brilz.^[20] Davis had the fight changed again and replaced an injured Tito Ortiz against Antônio Rogério Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24 on March 26, 2011.^[21] Davis defeated Nogueira via unanimous decision. After the win, Davis entered the MMA top rankings at MMA Top 10, while climbing to 13 at Fight Matrix rankings.^[22][23]

Davis was expected to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans on August 6, 2011 at UFC 133, replacing the injured UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones.^[24] However, On July 12, Davis pulled out of the Evans bout with a knee injury and was replaced by Tito Ortiz.^[25] Davis was expected to face Lyoto Machida at UFC 140, however, shortly after it was revealed that Davis is still recovering from a knee injury and the bout did not occur.^[26] Davis faced Rashad Evans on January 28, 2012 at UFC on Fox 2.^[27] Davis lost via unanimous decision.^[28]

Davis is expected to face Chad Griggs on August 4, 2012 at UFC on FOX 4.^[29]

Championships and achievements

Collegiate wrestling

• National Collegiate Athletic Association
  • NCAA Division I All-American out of Pennsylvania State University (2005), (2006), (2007), (2008)^[30]
  • NCAA Division I 197 lb – 7th place out of Pennsylvania State University (2005)^[31]
  • NCAA Division I 197 lb – Runner-up out of Pennsylvania State University (2006)^[31]
  • NCAA Division I 197 lb – 5th place out of Pennsylvania State University (2007)^[31]
  • NCAA Division I 197 lb – Champion out of Pennsylvania State University (2008)^[31]

Mixed martial arts

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Submission of the Night (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

See also

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists

References

External links

• Professional MMA record for Phil Davis from Sherdog
• Official UFC Profile
• Davis ready for greatness – HeavyMMA.com
• Phil Davis's profile at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame