Phil Davis wrestles a win at UFC 179, calls out Anderson Silva
Phil Davis got back in the win column Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro with perhaps the most impressive win of his career, and then called out all-time great Anderson Silva. For three straight rounds, Davis stayed safe on the feet against dangerous knock out artist Glover Teixeira, closed the distance and scored steadily with peppering strikes, take downs and top ground position.
After three rounds, scores from the judges were unanimously in favor of Davis, with 30-27 marks all-around for the former NCAA Division I wrestling National Champ. Teixeira knew and said, pre-fight, that he'd need to stop Davis' wrestling in order to win.
And, though the Brazilian gamely and skillfully fought back in the wrestling department against Davis, he could never keep himself free from the rangy wrestler's grasp for long. On the few ocassions that Teixeira was able to reverse or switch out and get top position on Davis, he appeared too worn out from carrying the weight of "Mr. Wonderful" for so many preceding minutes.
For his part, Davis used his jab, head movement and good lateral foot movement to score and stay at range on the feet against Teixeira. In the clinch, and on the ground, Davis used excellent wrestling riding to tie up Teixeira and stifle any possible offense from the 34 year-old.
In his post-fight interview, Davis said that - though he doesn't like being known as a guy who has beaten many Brazilian fighters - he does have one more on his mind. "Lately people have been calling me the 'Brazilian Killer,'" he said.
"I don't really like that...but I have beaten a lot of Brazilians, and there's only one guy out there who is Brazilian and who I'd like to fight, and that's Anderson Silva."
"The Spider," mocked fear while sitting ringside. Of course, Davis will likely have to get in line against the long-time middleweight champion as Silva is currently set to make his Octagon return after more than a year, in 2015 against Nick Diaz.
With the win, Davis improved his record to 13-2-1. The loss dropped Teixeira to 22-4, overall.
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