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Back on track with convincing win
Davis defeated Liam McGeary via TKO (jaw injury) at 4:11 of Round 3 at Bellator 220 on Saturday in San Jose.
ANALYSIS
Davis found success both in the clinch and at a distance over the first two rounds, appearing to earn the nod on the scorecards in each of those frames. He opened up in the third with additional body shots before securing his first takedown of the fight. He did some damage on the ground before letting McGeary up, though he did land a front kick in the scramble. The sequence that eventually ended the fight began with another Davis takedown, followed by heavy punches in full mount. This forced McGeary to tap, but what likely played a larger role is a broken jaw that was reported after the fight. Stoppage or not, Davis had likely been on his way to a decision victory either way. The Alliance MMA product will likely need another win or two before getting a shot at current champion Ryan Bader.
Davis found success both in the clinch and at a distance over the first two rounds, appearing to earn the nod on the scorecards in each of those frames. He opened up in the third with additional body shots before securing his first takedown of the fight. He did some damage on the ground before letting McGeary up, though he did land a front kick in the scramble. The sequence that eventually ended the fight began with another Davis takedown, followed by heavy punches in full mount. This forced McGeary to tap, but what likely played a larger role is a broken jaw that was reported after the fight. Stoppage or not, Davis had likely been on his way to a decision victory either way. The Alliance MMA product will likely need another win or two before getting a shot at current champion Ryan Bader.
Engages in a distance striking battle and drops decision at Bellator 209
Davis lost to Vadim Nemkov via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) at Bellator 209 on Thursday in Tel Aviv, Israel.
ANALYSIS
Davis has often employed questionable tactics in his MMA career. This fight is certainly another example of that habit. He was more than happy to stay on the outside and engage in a distance striking battle. However, there was a big problem with this strategy. Nemkov is a much better striker. Davis' only real weapon was his leg kicks. Nemkov took him out of that game with footwork and straight punches. Davis struggled to land and only went to his wrestling when it was too late. The former Penn State wrestler was trying to fight his way back to a title shot. With this loss, he falls behind Nemkov at the very least.
Davis has often employed questionable tactics in his MMA career. This fight is certainly another example of that habit. He was more than happy to stay on the outside and engage in a distance striking battle. However, there was a big problem with this strategy. Nemkov is a much better striker. Davis' only real weapon was his leg kicks. Nemkov took him out of that game with footwork and straight punches. Davis struggled to land and only went to his wrestling when it was too late. The former Penn State wrestler was trying to fight his way back to a title shot. With this loss, he falls behind Nemkov at the very least.
Picks up rare stoppage in the third round at Bellator 200
Davis defeated Linton Vassell via KO (head kick) at 1:05 of Round 3 at Bellator 200 on Friday in London.
ANALYSIS
While Davis is not known as a finisher, he was able to pick up the stoppage in the third round of this fight. The former Bellator champion was clearly the better fighter from the start. He closed the distance early and landed some hard knees to the body. In the second round, Davis went to his wrestling and did work from the top position. Entering the third round, it looked like he was headed towards another decision win. However, he connected with a right kick that ended the night for Vassell. Davis has now won back-to-back fights after dropping the title to Ryan Bader last year. It remains to be seen if he will get another shot at the title since Bader is currently competing in the company's heavyweight tournament.
While Davis is not known as a finisher, he was able to pick up the stoppage in the third round of this fight. The former Bellator champion was clearly the better fighter from the start. He closed the distance early and landed some hard knees to the body. In the second round, Davis went to his wrestling and did work from the top position. Entering the third round, it looked like he was headed towards another decision win. However, he connected with a right kick that ended the night for Vassell. Davis has now won back-to-back fights after dropping the title to Ryan Bader last year. It remains to be seen if he will get another shot at the title since Bader is currently competing in the company's heavyweight tournament.
Huge favorite for Bellator 200 matchup
Davis is a (-750) betting favorite for his light heavyweight matchup against Linton Vassell at Bellator 200 on Friday in London.
ANALYSIS
Davis fell short in his last title defense against Ryan Bader last June, but bounced back with a win over Leonardo Leite the following November. Bader is currently still alive in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix, however, so Davis will likely need to accept multiple fights in the meantime before getting another title shot. The first of which will be Vassell, who was also bested by Bader in his most recent chance at Bellator gold. Davis is 18-4 (1 NC) in his professional career, with each of his four losses coming to current or former UFC fighters. On paper, he should be able to handle Vassell easily, though it will be Vassell that has the home-town crowd behind him.
Davis fell short in his last title defense against Ryan Bader last June, but bounced back with a win over Leonardo Leite the following November. Bader is currently still alive in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix, however, so Davis will likely need to accept multiple fights in the meantime before getting another title shot. The first of which will be Vassell, who was also bested by Bader in his most recent chance at Bellator gold. Davis is 18-4 (1 NC) in his professional career, with each of his four losses coming to current or former UFC fighters. On paper, he should be able to handle Vassell easily, though it will be Vassell that has the home-town crowd behind him.
To face Linton Vassell at Bellator 200
Davis will fight Linton Vassell at Bellator 200 on May 25 in London, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Davis, back in June 2017, lost his light heavyweight title against Ryan Bader. Most recently, he defeated Leo Leite in November with a unanimous decision. Davis' opponent, Vassell, is also coming off a loss to Bader that broke a three-fight winning streak. He's 7-3 in Bellator.
Davis, back in June 2017, lost his light heavyweight title against Ryan Bader. Most recently, he defeated Leo Leite in November with a unanimous decision. Davis' opponent, Vassell, is also coming off a loss to Bader that broke a three-fight winning streak. He's 7-3 in Bellator.