Phil Davis (born September 25, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who currently competes as a Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Davis previously competed 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). Davis first gained athletic notoriety in college as a wrestler for Penn State University, where he became an NCAA Division I champion in 2008.
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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 and then attended Harrisburg High School. As a high school wrestler, he was a four-year team captain and letterman, with a 112–17 career record, and a three-time PIAA class AAA state placer. 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 and then winning the 197 lb 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. After graduating from Penn State, he began training with the newly formed LionHeart MMA team in State College, Pennsylvania.
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. 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. 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.
Davis made his UFC debut against Brian Stann on February 6, 2010, at UFC 109, winning by unanimous decision.
Davis faced Alexander Gustafsson on April 10, 2010, at UFC 112. 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. Davis controlled the bout with his wrestling and won by unanimous decision.
Davis fought Tim Boetsch on November 20, 2010, at UFC 123. 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.
Davis was expected to face Matt Hamill in Toronto at UFC 129. However, Hamill was tapped as a replacement for Thiago Silva against Rampage Jackson at UFC 130. Davis was offered a fight against Jason Brilz, 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. 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, but on July 12, Davis pulled out of the event with a knee injury and was replaced by Tito Ortiz. 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.
Davis faced former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans in a number one contender fight on January 28, 2012, at UFC on Fox 2. Despite Davis' substantial wrestling credentials, Evans dominated him on the canvas, coasting to a unanimous decision.
Bellator MMA
Following his final fight in the UFC, Davis parted from the organization and signed with Bellator MMA on April 15, 2015.
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. He faced Emanuel Newton in the opening round and won by submission due to a kimura. He was scheduled to face Muhammed Lawal in the final. However, Lawal was unable to advance to the finals due to a rib injury and was replaced by alternate Francis Carmont. Davis won the bout via knockout in the first round.
By winning the tournament, Davis was set up to face Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Liam McGeary at a yet-to-be-determined event. 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. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Davis faced Liam McGeary for the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event at Bellator 163 on November 4, 2016. He won the bout via unanimous decision to become the new Bellator Light Heavyweight champion.
Davis faced his former opponent Ryan Bader again in a title fight on June 24, 2017, at Bellator 180. Bader and Davis first met at UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson on January 24, 2015, with Bader winning by split decision. He was defeated again via split decision, thus losing the Bellator title.
Davis faced undefeated Brazilian fighter Leo Leite on November 3, 2017, at Bellator 186. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Davis faced Linton Vassell on May 25, 2018, at Bellator 200. He won the fight via knock out due to a head kick in round three.
Davis faced Vadim Nemkov on November 15, 2018, Bellator 209. He lost the fight via split decision.
Davis next faced Liam McGeary at Bellator 220 on April 27, 2019. He won the fight via TKO in the third round.
Professional Fighters League
Davis was expected to face Rob Wilkinson at PFL 2 on April 6, 2024. However, Davis withdrew from the bout due to an unknown reason and was replaced by Tom Breese.
On March 4, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Davis will join the 2025 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament.
In the quarterfinal, Davis faced Rob Wilkinson on May 1, 2025, at PFL 4. He won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.
In the semifinals, Davis faced Sullivan Cauley at PFL 7 on June 27, 2025. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Championships and achievements
Amateur wrestling
National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCAA Division I All-American out of Pennsylvania State University (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
NCAA Division I 197 lb – National Champion out of Pennsylvania State University (2008)
NCAA Division I 197 lb – National Runner-up out of Pennsylvania State University (2006)
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association
Pennsylvania AAA State Placer out of Harrisburg High School (2001, 2002, 2003)
Mixed martial arts
Bellator MMA
Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship (One time; former)
Bellator MMA Dynamite 1 Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion
Most wins in Bellator Light Heavyweight division (11)
Most bouts in Bellator Light Heavyweight division (16)
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Submission of the Night (One time) vs. Tim Boetsch
UFC.com Awards
2010: Newcomer of the Year & Ranked #9 Submission of the Year vs. Tim Boetsch
MMA News 247
Submission of the Year (2010) vs Tim Boetsch on November 20, 2010