It appears as though Phil Davis
will get a chance to recapture a championship he once held.
“Mr. Wonderful” on Monday was named as the No. 1 contender for
current Bellator
MMA light heavyweight titleholder Vadim
Nemkov.
In an interview with MMAJunkie.com, Bellator President Scott
Coker indicated that the current plan was for Davis to
challenge Nemkov for the 205-pound title. The two men met
previously at Bellator 209 in 2018, when Nemkov eked out a split
decision over the
Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran. It remains his only
career victory by decision.
Davis has since bounced back with consecutive wins over Liam
McGeary at Bellator 220, Karl
Albrektsson at Bellator 231 and Lyoto
Machida at Bellator 245.
“He had a great fight with Nemkov last time,” Coker said. “This
will be a rematch. Phil has done a great job since then. That was a
close fight. Phil just came off of a great win against Machida. I
think Phil should be next in line.”
News of Davis’ ascent means Bellator newcomer Corey
Anderson will have to wait his turn despite the fact that he
squashed Melvin
Manhoef in the Bellator 251 headliner on Nov. 5.
“Listen, I thought he did a great job,” Coker said. “I thought he
did exactly what he was supposed to do. I don’t think he’ll get the
shot next, but I think maybe one more fight and we’ll put him right
in there with the champ, whoever the champ is at the time. He’s
somebody who adds great depth to our roster at 205. That’s why I’ve
always said we have the best light heavyweight division on the
planet. He’s a major part of why we can say that.”
Bellator has not yet announced an official date for the
Nemkov-Davis rematch. The Russian champion has not yet defended the
205-pound crown—a title he captured when he laid waste to Ryan Bader at
Bellator 244 in August.