Phil Davis Bio
Phil Davis (born September 25, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is a former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion and previously competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he was a top contender. Davis first gained recognition as a collegiate wrestler at Penn State University, winning the NCAA Division I championship in 2008.
Early Life and Background
Phil Davis was born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, alongside his two older brothers. He began wrestling in seventh grade and attended Harrisburg High School, where he was a four-year team captain and letterman with a 112–17 record. Davis was also a three-time state placer and lettered in tennis and cross-country running.
He continued his wrestling career at Penn State University, finishing fifth nationally in the 197-pound weight class as a junior in 2007. In 2008, Davis won the NCAA Division I wrestling title at 197 pounds and was a four-time All-American with an overall collegiate record of 116–20. After graduating, he transitioned to mixed martial arts, initially training with LionHeart MMA in State College, Pennsylvania.
Path to MMA
Phil Davis began his professional MMA career in 2008, compiling an undefeated 4–0 record in regional promotions. After LionHeart MMA disbanded in 2009, he moved to San Diego to train with Alliance MMA, where he continues to train. He earned a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Lloyd Irvin and won the No-Gi Grappling World Jiu-Jitsu Championship as a blue belt in the super heavyweight division that same year.
Davis signed with the UFC in December 2009, marking his entry into the sport’s premier organization. His wrestling background and grappling skills quickly established him as a formidable competitor in the Light Heavyweight division.
Phil Davis Career
Early Career (2008–2010)
Davis started his professional MMA career in 2008, fighting in regional circuits across the United States. He quickly amassed a 4–0 record, showcasing his wrestling prowess and submission skills. After joining the UFC in late 2009, he made his promotional debut at UFC 109 in February 2010, defeating Brian Stann by unanimous decision.
He followed this with a notable submission victory over Alexander Gustafsson via anaconda choke at UFC 112. Davis continued to demonstrate his wrestling dominance and submission ability, earning Submission of the Night honors for his modified kimura submission against Tim Boetsch at UFC 123.
UFC Breakthrough (2010–2015)
Phil Davis established himself as a top Light Heavyweight contender during his UFC tenure. Highlights include a unanimous decision win over Antônio Rogério Nogueira in his first UFC main event and a victory against former champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 163. Davis’ wrestling and ground control were key factors in these wins.
Despite setbacks such as a loss to Rashad Evans and a split decision defeat to Anthony Johnson, Davis remained competitive at the highest level. He concluded his UFC career with a 9–3 record, including a unanimous decision win over Glover Teixeira and a close split decision loss to Ryan Bader in his final UFC bout.
Bellator MMA Era (2015–2024)
In April 2015, Phil Davis signed with Bellator MMA, where he quickly made an impact by winning a one-night Light Heavyweight tournament at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1. He defeated Emanuel Newton by submission and Francis Carmont by knockout to claim the tournament victory.
Davis earned a title shot against Liam McGeary and won the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship via unanimous decision in November 2016. He lost the title to Ryan Bader in a split decision rematch in June 2017 but continued to compete at a high level with notable wins over Leo Leite, Linton Vassell, and Lyoto Machida.
Throughout his Bellator career, Davis signed a multi-fight contract extension and participated in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament. He faced Vadim Nemkov twice, losing both bouts by decision, and continued to be a top contender in the division through 2024.
Professional Fighters League (2024–Present)
Phil Davis transitioned to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and was scheduled to fight Rob Wilkinson in April 2024 but withdrew for undisclosed reasons. He officially joined the 2025 PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament, winning his quarterfinal bout by technical knockout against Wilkinson in May 2025. Davis was defeated by Sullivan Cauley via unanimous decision in the semifinals in June 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Phil Davis is known for his strong wrestling base, utilizing takedowns and ground control to dominate opponents. His orthodox stance complements his grappling skills, and he has demonstrated effective submission techniques, including his signature kimura. Davis’ strategic approach and partnership with Alliance MMA have been central to his success.
Notable Events and Milestones
Davis’ career highlights include winning the NCAA Division I wrestling championship in 2008, capturing the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship in 2016, and earning Submission of the Night honors in the UFC. His victory in Bellator’s one-night Light Heavyweight tournament and multiple title fights mark significant milestones.
Phil Davis Career Wins
Phil Davis has accumulated 25 professional wins across multiple organizations, including the UFC, Bellator MMA, and the PFL. His victories comprise knockouts, submissions, and decisions, reflecting his well-rounded skill set.
Bellator MMA Highlights
Davis secured numerous wins in Bellator, including tournament victories and title bouts. His first Bellator tournament win in 2015 set the stage for his championship success. Notable wins include his knockout of Francis Carmont and unanimous decision over Liam McGeary to claim the Light Heavyweight title. Davis also recorded a TKO win over Karl Albrektsson and a split decision victory against Lyoto Machida during his Bellator tenure.
Other Wins & Performances
Before Bellator, Davis achieved success in the UFC with nine wins, including submissions and decisions over top contenders. Early in his career, he maintained an undefeated streak in regional promotions. His collegiate wrestling accolades also underscore his competitive foundation.
Phil Davis Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Phil Davis was raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, with two older brothers. There is no publicly available information about a family background in combat sports or martial arts lineage beyond his immediate family.
Personal Life
Davis resides in Chula Vista, California, and trains with Alliance MMA. Details about his marital status or children are not publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Phil Davis competed in the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament. He won his quarterfinal match by technical knockout against Rob Wilkinson but was defeated in the semifinals by Sullivan Cauley via unanimous decision. Davis’ performance demonstrated his continued competitiveness in the division as he aims to capture the PFL title. His experience and wrestling skills remain key assets as he pursues further success in the season.