Phil Davis
Active 2010–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 83.0
Scouting report
Bringing an NCAA Division I national championship wrestling pedigree from Penn State into MMA, Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis went on to capture the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Title. Originating from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Davis compiled UFC wins over Alexander Gustafsson, Lyoto Machida, and Glover Teixeira, his grappling demonstrated by a 92 Wrestling and 85 BJJ, establishing an 83 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Davis showcased NCAA Division I wrestling dominance between 2011 and 2013, submitting Tim Boetsch with a one-arm kimura, defeating Wagner Prado, out-grappling Vinny Magalhaes, and earning a controversial unanimous decision victory over former champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 163 in Rio. His wrestling takedowns, top control, and submissions are reflected in a 92 Wrestling and 76 Boxing.
In 2014 and 2015, Davis dropped a decision to Anthony Johnson at UFC 172 in Baltimore before putting on a wrestling performance to defeat Glover Teixeira by unanimous decision in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a split-decision loss to Ryan Bader in Stockholm prior to joining Bellator. His top rides and takedown execution anchor his 92 Wrestling and 88 Cardio.
Phil Davis, the Penn State wrestler who took his time
Phil Davis was an NCAA champion wrestler at Penn State and he carried that base straight into a long light heavyweight career. He later became a Bellator champion at the weight. His fights are patient, physical and often decided on the scorecards. He lost a decision to Rashad Evans and then rebuilt his game around control. If you want a hard-to-move body with a strong ground plan, he fits.
What the Davis ratings say
Boxing. The lowest area of his game. He works his striking to set up a takedown rather than to hurt anyone.
Kickboxing. Equally modest. He throws kicks to measure distance but rarely commits to them.
Wrestling. The best number on his card by a wide gap. NCAA-level wrestling makes it very hard for opponents to keep their feet.
BJJ. Very good. He can pass, take the back and threaten chokes once the fight is on the mat.
Strength. Strong and compact through the hips. That is what makes his top game heavy.
Durability. Well above average. He rarely gets stunned and he does not panic when a fight gets rough.
Cardio. He keeps going all night. A pace that would tire most light heavyweights barely changes him.
Fight IQ. Good. He chooses control over risk and uses his wrestling to make decisions for the opponent.
Wrestling separates him from most of the pool
With a wrestling rating in the low nineties, Davis has one skill almost no one else at light heavyweight can match. That makes him a natural fit for a team that wants to shut opponents down instead of trading shots. Once he has a man on the fence, the fight is on his terms.
Striking is a ceiling on the finish: Boxing
Boxing and kickboxing sit level at his lowest number. He can win rounds, but he seldom ends fights with his hands, and a counterpuncher who stops his entries can drag him into a decision he does not want. Balance him with a teammate who brings power.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Phil Davis, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Tito Ortizbest wrestling 90 · weakest kickboxing 70
- Ryan Baderbest wrestling 89 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Corey Andersonbest cardio 92 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Rashad Evansbest wrestling 90 · weakest bjj 80
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Phil Davis's strongest attribute, Wrestling.
Draft Phil Davis into your build
Phil Davis enters the pool on any spin landing on light heavyweight between 2010 and 2015. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Phil Davis is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Phil Davis's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.