UFC Signs ‘Mr. Wonderful’
Brian Knapp Dec 16, 2009
Phil
Davis, one of the sport’s top prospects, has agreed to terms on
a contract with the UFC. A date for his Octagon debut has not yet
been booked.
Known as “Mr. Wonderful,” Davis was a four-time All-American wrestler at Penn State University, where he finished his stellar collegiate career with a 116-20 record. A national champion at 197 pounds in 2008, he trains out of Brandon Vera’s Alliance Training Center in San Diego. He sees the UFC as a culmination of his hard work and persistence.
“It means a lot just to be on the biggest stage in mixed martial
arts, to be with a great company,” said Davis, who declined to
reveal the terms of his deal. “It’s a great place for me to start
my career.”
The 25-year-old light heavyweight owns a 4-0 professional record, having competed inside the Palace Fighting Championship, Ultimate Warrior Challenge and Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge promotions. Davis, a Harrisburg, Pa., native, last appeared in June, when he submitted David Baggett with a rear-naked choke in 3:37. He anticipates a steep learning curve in the UFC.
“I expect world-class challenges,” Davis said. “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.”
Davis vowed not to disappoint.
“You can expect madness, a little bit of this, a little bit of that,” he said. “I’m a hard worker, determined, and I get the job done.”
Known as “Mr. Wonderful,” Davis was a four-time All-American wrestler at Penn State University, where he finished his stellar collegiate career with a 116-20 record. A national champion at 197 pounds in 2008, he trains out of Brandon Vera’s Alliance Training Center in San Diego. He sees the UFC as a culmination of his hard work and persistence.
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The 25-year-old light heavyweight owns a 4-0 professional record, having competed inside the Palace Fighting Championship, Ultimate Warrior Challenge and Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge promotions. Davis, a Harrisburg, Pa., native, last appeared in June, when he submitted David Baggett with a rear-naked choke in 3:37. He anticipates a steep learning curve in the UFC.
“I expect world-class challenges,” Davis said. “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.”
Davis vowed not to disappoint.
“You can expect madness, a little bit of this, a little bit of that,” he said. “I’m a hard worker, determined, and I get the job done.”
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