Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis signs with Bellator MMA
On Wednesday, April 15, 2015, Bellator MMA announced the signing of the sixth ranked Light Heavyweight MMA fighter in the world, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (13-3, 1 NC), to an exclusive, multi-fight deal.
We soon learned every organization from the Ice Capades to Bellator was interested in his services. With all the commotion, it became imperative we do our due diligence and find out what all the fuss was about.
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state’s capital, the 30 year-old Davis attended Harrisburg High School then moved on to State College, PA to attend Penn State University, where he became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler for the Nittany Lions.
After graduating from Penn State, he remained in town and started training with the newly formed Lion Heart MMA team, coached by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master Jeff Rockwell, boxing trainer T. J. Turner, kickboxing/Muay Thai instructors Mark Miller and Ryan Gruhn and wrestling coach Matt Kocher.
With the help of his primary training partners Paul Bradley, Lou Armezzani and Jimmy Hettes, plus the many visiting fighters such as Dave Herman, Shanon Slack, Dominick Cruz, Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez, Davis soon became an outstanding fighter. When the Lion Heart team disbanded in 2009, Davis was persuaded to move to San Diego and continue his training at the Alliance Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
Davis, who began his professional career in 2008, compiled a record of 4–0 in regional promotions before being signed by the UFC in December of 2009. Davis, who stands 6’2” tall, weighs 205 pounds and has a 79” reach, won nine fights under the UFC banner over such fearsome foes as Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, Alexander Gustafsson, Brian Stann and Glover Teixeira.
After signing with Bellator, “Mr. Wonderful” will now be battling it out in their light heavyweight division which is currently upheld by champion Liam McGeary. Even though the light heavyweight division is one of their deepest with the likes of McGeary, Tito Ortiz, “King Mo” Lawal, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Emanuel Newton and Linton Vassell, Davis should have no problem becoming a major player and soon challenge for the title.
As a member of the Alliance MMA Team, Davis has been training alongside Bellator stars like Michael Chandler, Joey Beltran plus UFC star Dominick Cruz, Co-owner Brian Vera, along with many of the local Amateur and Pro up and comers.
One of Phil Davis’ favorite art pieces is this photo adaption by MMA Fight Edits showing the mates who have trained with him at the Alliance Training Center.
“Phil is a world class Mixed Martial Artist and we are very happy to be adding him to our roster of some of the best Light Heavyweights in the world,” said the promotion’s president, Scott Coker. “Bellator remains fully committed to building its world-class roster by signing top free agents like Davis, as well as grooming up-and-coming stars. We’ve got some amazing match-ups in mind for ‘Mr. Wonderful’ that we will be announcing in the weeks to come.”
In 1911, a newspaper editor by the name of Arthur Brisbane was said to have coined the expression, “Use a picture. It’s worth a thousand words.” You’re going to agree 100% with that claim after we show you all the photos snatched from Phil Davis’ website and Facebook accounts. About the following photos, you’d have to say they speak volumes.
The people who enjoy “Mr. Wonderful” the most, know him for having this animated, cheerful attitude which reminds them of Arsenio Hall, claim Davis could easily be the late night entertainer’s replacement when and if Hall were to retire.
You can tell a lot about someone by the photos on their website or Facebook account. (top, center) Phil Davis depicts the famous sculpture “The Thinker” which is out in front of the Rodin Museum on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. (middle) Davis gives us some comic relief when he exposes an angry blogger. (bottom, right) Davis, an honored guest at the Athletes for Education 500 Turkey Giveaway had everyone chuckling when he danced with Santa Claus.
Once Davis had a friend take a photo of himself choking a dummy. Davis’ caption read, “I get emotional when I see my opponent getting choked up. This dummy didn’t want none.” Kieran Fallon’s comment: “He still has better stand up than you.”
The “Bison” joke is self explanatory. (bottom, left) During a training camp for a major fight, Davis posted the following photo with the caption, “I felt like someone was always watching me.” Then, there was this mix up on Fox Sports. Someone had posted the wrong name under Dominick Cruz’s mug during a TV interview. Once again, Davis took a picture of this miscue and posted it all over the Internet with the caption: “It happens. We all look alike.”
In reaction to all the negative press purporting police officers are undisciplined renegades came the following idea for a photo with Chief of Police David Bejarano.
A week after Davis appeared on the front cover of the UFC magazine, General Mills was on the phone begging to have him on the front of their Wheaties cereal boxes.
More comic relief.
(top, l to r) The video of Davis explaining how he’s such a natural when it comes to figure skating will put a smile on your face. (right) When picking up his coffee at Starbucks, Davis discovered the cashier couldn’t spell his name correctly. (bottom, l to r) Up in Happy Valley football players are so tough, they don’t use a hard helmet. (right) Davis gets a warm greeting from the school’s mascot.
(top, l to r) Phil Davis flies through the air to deliver a kick. (right) Davis gets an opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Pittsburgh Pirate home game. (bottom, l to r) Whether it’s Starbucks or Smashburger, the clerks are having trouble spelling his name. (right) Davis discovers too late that the lady giving the interview is actually a witch, a witch that reduces him to the size of a mouse.
It’s only a matter of time before “Mr. Wonderful” will have us enthralled in his next adventure.
