UFC Signs Undefeated Prospect, Phil Davis (4-0): "Mr. Wonderful", as they call him, is a 4-time...

UFC Signs Undefeated Prospect, Phil Davis (4-0):

"Mr. Wonderful", as they call him, is a 4-time collegiate All-American wrestler, who trains with guys like Lloyd Irvin and Brandon Vera. He was featured on Sherdog's Prospect Watch shortly after his victory on UWC 6.

"It means a lot just to be on the biggest stage in mixed martial arts, to be with a great company. It’s a great place for me to start my career... I expect world-class challenges. The UFC has the best fighters in the world. You want to go up against the best in the world, and you’re guaranteed to do that in the UFC... You can expect madness, a little bit of this, a little bit of that. I’m a hard worker, determined, and I get the job done." -Phil Davis, talking to Sherdog about going to the UFC.

HT: Brandon Vera

about 2 years ago Anton Tabuena 18 comments 3 recs |

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Oh snap!

That’s really awesome.

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 15, 2009 8:28 PM EST reply actions

kind of early. I hope he can keep working on his game….

by stearnum on Dec 15, 2009 8:34 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, I know. I love what I’ve seen of him (1 fight) but I hope this isn’t too early.

by John Nash on Dec 15, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, maybe..

Hopefully he doesn’t get fed to the sharks this early… He’s got a lot of potential though.

but he did say that if he won’t rush in the UFC until he’s ready..

Davis compares himself to Muhammed Lawal — an athletic martial artist with daunting wrestling credentials who’s just beginning his transition to MMA. Like "King Mo," Davis seems in no rush to hit the big leagues.

"Somebody told me once, ‘Why be in the UFC until you’re ready to win it?’" Davis says, beginning to elongate his words with uncertainty. "I don’t know if I’m gonna take on Rashad [Evans] tomorrow."

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Dec 15, 2009 8:43 PM EST up reply actions

blockquote fail.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Dec 15, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

hopefully he doesn’t get the Jake Rosholts treatment. Where he’s fed to the sharks right away.

by Matthew Roth on Dec 15, 2009 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

There has to have some TUF castoffs (Sucky ones. Not like the Matt Browns) that he can fight before fighting the more established fighters. What weight class does Davis fight in?

by chrisbboy82 on Dec 16, 2009 2:17 AM EST up reply actions

205

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 16, 2009 2:23 AM EST up reply actions

I don’t like this signing at all. Perhaps he’s improved dramatically in the time since I’ve seen him. He’s an elite athlete, so I suppose anything is possible. But in my estimation he needs a lot more seasoning before he’s ready for UFC caliber talent. I pray I’m wrong.

by Luke Thomas on Dec 16, 2009 12:09 AM EST reply actions

First thing I thought when I saw this signing--

Man it would be nice to use WEC as a conditioning league for guys like Davis..

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 16, 2009 12:23 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd hard

I rarely tweet
I less-rarely write

by woomikee on Dec 16, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Be gentle!

"I’m sorry. I didn’t drink last night, so I’m not funny today."
-Sakuraba

by Blackout612 on Dec 16, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

maybe the UFC is just taking away valuable prospects from the market?

If they build him up slowly, he should be okay.. Hopefully they don’t Paulo Thiago him…

Munoz got a stiff litmus test in a much bigger and more experienced Hamill, but they’re matching him up on guys on his level now.. Maybe they’d do the same for Phil.

Another prospect that got signed too early IMO, Rolles Gracie.. But at least he’s matched up against someone he stands to be competitive with matchup wise.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Dec 16, 2009 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

The Gracie signing makes sense since he’s supposed to be the next great gracie.

by Matthew Roth on Dec 16, 2009 12:47 AM EST up reply actions

yep...

he has lots of upside, but also, still very raw to challenge the top guys.. He needs a couple more wins under his belt before taking on the big dogs…

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

by Anton Tabuena on Dec 16, 2009 2:24 AM EST up reply actions

Davis is amazing; like everyone else I echo the worries about this being too much too soon.

by Michael Rome on Dec 16, 2009 12:25 AM EST reply actions

I think they’re worried about Strikeforce gobbling up prospects and forming relationships with guys like Tyron Woodley early. One day that loyalty will pay dividends for Strikeforce.

At the same time, they are pretty careless with matchmaking and aren’t really equipped to run a farm league. We saw what happened to Rosholt and he was far more advanced than Phil Davis is.

by Michael Rome on Dec 16, 2009 12:35 AM EST reply actions

I go to PSU, had the oppurtunity to meet the guy once, he was a cool dude.

I am excited to have a hometown guy to root for in the UFC. Hopefully he can develop nicely as all of you above are concerned about. Obviously he is a great wrestler, and he recently won gold at the world no-gi BJJ championships.
He is an incredibly intimidating physical specimen though, for whatever thats worth.

Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.

"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."

by Roland86 on Dec 16, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions