Phil Davis thinks that Bellator is building the most competitive fighting organization in the world -- and that the light heavyweight division is setting the tone.
Davis, the current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, discussed the growth of Bellator and much more in an interview on Booker T's Heated Conversations podcast. Davis makes his first defense of the Bellator title this Saturday, June 24, against Ryan Bader at Bellator 180 from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
"Scott Coker knows how to push that button well. He knows those fighters, he knows how to make those big fights," Davis said. "Bellator has, depending on what list you're looking at, the top three and four light heavyweights in the world. It's slowly building itself as the complete competitive organization."
Davis won the title late last year and defends against Bader, who signed with Bellator in March. Both Davis and Bader are UFC alums who actually fought before in the Octagon; Bader won that matchup via majority decision.
"Does anything worry me? Not really," Davis said when asked if anything in Bader's game concerned him. "It's not because he's not talented, he's not good, it's just because I trained so hard. I refuse to be denied at this point."
"Mr. Wonderful" Davis (17-3-1) also discussed the Ali Act and how it could--or should, in his opinion--be applied to MMA.
"I would love to see the Ali Act being enforced in mixed martial arts. I hate to beat this drum again, but I also think, Bellator's President, Scott Coker, he's already signed a petition to enforce it. He's a very progressive thinker. … it would prevent guys being taken advantage of," Davis said.
Davis went on to note that “money doesn't last very long” in MMA, especially when it came to medical care after an accumulation of injuries.
Be sure to check out Fightful.com live coverage of Bellator 180 on Saturday.
