Davis MMA Career: A Journey Through the Ranks of Professional Fighting
The professional trajectory of Davis is a testament to the volatility and resilience required in mixed martial arts (MMA). From his early days dominating regional circuits to competing on the world's biggest stages, Davis has navigated the highs of championship gold and the challenges of the sport's most elite promotions.
Early Career and the Path to the UFC
Davis began his professional journey primarily in the southern United States, with a strong focus on his adopted home state of Mississippi. He built a formidable foundation, amassing a record of 8–2 and securing a seven-fight winning streak before catching the attention of major scouts.
His breakthrough came in 2017 during Dana White's Contender Series 4, a promotional event designed to scout new talent for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). After a decisive victory over Austin Arnett, Davis earned a contract to join the UFC.
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The UFC Tenure: Peaks and Valleys
Davis made his official UFC debut on January 20, 2018, at UFC 220, where he faced Kyle Bochniak. The bout ended in a loss via unanimous decision. However, he quickly bounced back on February 18, 2018. Originally scheduled to fight Humberto Bandenay, Davis instead faced Steven Peterson due to Bandenay's visa issues. Davis won the fight via unanimous decision, earning the prestigious Fight of the Night award.
The following period proved challenging. Davis suffered consecutive losses to Enrique Barzola via unanimous decision in May 2018 and Zabit Magomedsharipov via second-round submission in September 2018. He returned to the win column on April 13, 2019, at UFC 236, where he defeated Randy Costa using a rear-naked choke—a submission hold that restricts blood flow to the brain—in the second round.
His first stint with the promotion concluded after split-decision losses to Kang Kyung-ho in August 2019 and Giga Chikadze in September 2019, leading to his release from the UFC.
Regional Success and the Gulf Coast MMA Title
Following his departure from the UFC, Davis transitioned to Gulf Coast MMA. This period marked a significant resurgence in his career, as he won three consecutive fights. This momentum culminated in capturing the organization's Bantamweight Championship.
On August 14, 2021, at Gulf Coast MMA 11, Davis successfully defended his title against Josh Huber, securing a victory via first-round knockout.
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Return to the UFC and Transition to Bareknuckle
Davis returned to the UFC in October 2021 at UFC Fight Night 195, but faced a difficult homecoming, losing to Danaa Batgerel via first-round technical knockout (TKO). A subsequent split-decision loss to Leomana Martinez on October 15, 2022, led to his second release from the promotion in mid-January.
Davis then pivoted toward Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, a discipline that removes the gloves used in traditional MMA. After a loss to Joshua Weems at Gulf Coast MMA 9 and a loss to Ago Huskić at Gamebred Fighting Championship 5, Davis found success on November 10, 2023, defeating Joe Penafiel via unanimous decision.
On November 15, 2024, Davis faced Randy Costa in a rematch for the inaugural bantamweight title. The fight ended in a no-contest—a result where the bout is declared null—after an illegal knee from Davis left Costa unable to continue in the first round.
Professional Fighters League (PFL) Debut
Davis's most recent chapter took place in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). While a scheduled bout against Luciano Pereira in July 2026 did not materialize, Davis stepped in as a replacement for Mando Gutierrez. He made his PFL debut on July 25, 2026, at PFL Washington DC, where he lost to Nkosi Ndebele via unanimous decision.
Key Facts
- UFC Entry: Signed after winning on Dana White's Contender Series 4 in 2017.
- Notable Win: Defeated Randy Costa via rear-naked choke at UFC 236.
- Championship: Former Gulf Coast MMA Bantamweight Champion.
- Accolades: Earned a "Fight of the Night" award in the UFC.
- Bareknuckle Experience: Competed for the inaugural bantamweight title at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8.
| Promotion | Key Achievement/Result | Notable Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| UFC | Fight of the Night Award | Steven Peterson |
| Gulf Coast MMA | Bantamweight Champion | Josh Huber |
| Gamebred Bareknuckle | Unanimous Decision Win | Joe Penafiel |
| PFL | Promotional Debut | Nkosi Ndebele |
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Davis first enter the UFC?
Davis entered the UFC after participating in Dana White's Contender Series 4 in 2017, where he won his fight against Austin Arnett.
What championship title has Davis held?
Davis captured and successfully defended the Gulf Coast MMA Bantamweight Championship, including a first-round knockout victory over Josh Huber.
What happened during the rematch between Davis and Randy Costa?
The rematch at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 8 ended in a no-contest because Davis landed an illegal knee in the first round, leaving Costa unable to continue.
Which fight earned Davis a "Fight of the Night" award?
Davis earned the Fight of the Night award for his unanimous decision victory over Steven Peterson on February 18, 2018.
When did Davis debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL)?
Davis made his PFL debut on July 25, 2026, at PFL Washington DC, where he faced Nkosi Ndebele.