Skip to content

Phil Davis signs with Bellator MMA

It appears UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis decided to jump ship.

Davis, who currently sits seventh in the UFC's official 205-pound rankings, signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA, the promotion announced on Wednesday.

Davis's UFC contract expired after his loss to Ryan Bader at UFC on FOX 14 in January.

"I can't wait to be fighting in Bellator and wreck shop on everyone,” Davis told Bellator's official website. "I am the absolute best and most dominant grappler to ever fight in MMA and I'm excited to get in there and compete at my new home."

The four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Penn State sports a 13-3 record in his MMA career, and counts Lyoto Machida, Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson and Glover Teixeira among his high-profile scalps.

"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," Bellator president Scott Coker said. "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 matchups in mind for 'Mr. Wonderful' that we will be announcing in the weeks to come."

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox