One On One with Alexis Davis

With womens' MMA riding a wave of success over the past few years, the top ten ranked Alexis Davis took some time out to speak with me about the sport, her career, and of course, her addiction.


The Port Colbourne, Ontario native is set to face off with Amanda Nunes this coming September for Strikeforce, and her time is valuable now, so a big thank you to Alexis for speaking to me.

JZ - First off, thank you for taking the time to speak with me Mrs. Davis. For those who dont know you yet though, can you tell us abit about yourself?

AD - Well i have been training for about 7-8 year now in thai kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu under Master Dave Dayboll in Ontario Canada. I have a black belt in Japanese & a brown belt in Brazilian. I've been fighting professional MMA since early 2007, having my first fight and first loss against the then 3-0 Sarah Kaufman. But even after facing defeat I still feel in love with the sport.

JZ - With 14 pro fights since 2007, some would call you a veteran of the sport. What changes have you seen since your first fight to your last match on the women's side of the MMA world, good or bad?

AD - It's been incredible how far this sport has come for women. With every year the sport grow, and with now promotions like Strikeforce promoting women, we are just one step closer. Now it's almost the norm to have at least one women's fight on a card. And I am proud to be a part of that.

JZ - In your last fight, you defeated Julie Kedzie in your Strikeforce debut. Given that most of the top 135 pound woman are in Strikeforce at the moment, who would you like to step up and face next?

AD - Like you said most of the top women in the 135lb weight class are in Strikeforce, that is why it's the place to be. But of course like anyone in my division it's my ultimate goal to fight for whoever maybe holding the title at the time.

JZ - Before you signed with Strikeforce, you were set to rematch Shayna Baszler. With that history, is there any chance you return to TCI and try to avenge your previous loss to her?

AD - I hope so. I'd love to have that rematch she a great fighter and I hope that I would have the opportunity to prove to myself and to the fans. Not every fight you get is going to have the perfect circumstances but it's what you learn from it that makes you a better fighter.

JZ - You are a fellow Ontario native, when MMA finally became legal in the province, how big was that to you? To finally be able to have the chance to compete in front of a hometown crowd with friend and family must have felt great.

AD - I think I was happy for Ontario as a whole, as it seem we had some catching up to do with the times. But since the UFC and all these great organization it's give Canadians fighters greater opportunities. I was fortunate enough to live near the border and able to fight for Raging Wolf Production which for me was only about a half hour away. There i was able to have top female fighter and have most of my family and friend come to the show. It was great!

JZ - And finally, because we are AddictedMMA, what is Alexis Davis addicted too?

AD - Food!! Lol, that's why I have to train so hard, just ask my coach!

AddictedMMA would like to thank Alexis for her time, and wish the the best of luck this coming September

Published by Jasyn Zangari

Alexis Davis: Will Be Facing Amanda Nunes on September 10 at Strikeforce.



Alexis Davis

 Alexis Davis, fresh off her win on the undercard of Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson, will be right back in action Sept. 10 in Cincinnati against Amanda Nunes.

Addison Sports Management and Media confirms today that a contract was recieved and will be signed sealed and delivered. The event which is officially titled: "Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov." 

Davis improved to 10-4 at the July 30 Strikeforce event with a unanimous decision victory against Julie Kedzie in the 135-pound division. Alexis Davis trains under Master Dave Dayboll of Dayboll Jiu-Jitsu. Her four defeats have come to well-regarded opponents Elaina Maxwell, Shayna Baszler, Tara LaRosa, Valerie Latourneau and Sarah Kaufman. Kaufman is the former Strikeforce 135-pound title holder.





Although Nunes’ most recent fight was a 14-second knockout of Julia Budd at 145 pounds, she will be going down to 135 to meet Davis. The Brazilian, now a product of AMA Fight Club in New Jersey, has run off six straight wins since losing her first career fight. She has never gone past the second round, finishing all her fights by TKO or corner stoppage.

Nunes originally was slated to fight Kedzie in June, but a foot injury resulted in cancellation of the bout, and Davis was slotted in to fight Kedie in the July 30 card instead.

Confirmed for the card are Josh Barnett and Sergei Kharitonov in the headlining grand prix semifinal fight. In the other semifinal, Antonio “Big Foot” Silva meets former U.S. Olympic wrestler Daniel Cormier, who was an alternate but replaced deposed champion Alistair Overeem. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will defend his middleweight belt against Luke Rockhold, and former light heavyweight champion Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal meets grappling ace Roger Gracie.

More bouts to be announced.

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With a Win Over Julie Kedzie, Alexis Davis Now Ready to Move Up Strikeforce Food Chain

    Pictured: Alexis Davis with Dave Dayboll

After four years of working her way up the ranks, women’s 135-pound fighter Alexis Davis finally got her shot at in a major MMA promotion when she took on Julie Kedzie at last week’s Strikeforce and M-1 Global: Fedor vs. Henderson event.
And for a fighter who has always had to work for everything she’s gotten, her win over fellow Kedzie wasn’t easy.
“I’m the type of fighter that I’m always moving forward and trying to push the pace, and she was able to control that by keeping the space and distance,” said Davis. “When we did clinch, she has a strong enough wrestling background that it was difficult to take her down.
“I was stronger in the clinch and tried to stay aggressive and keep moving. I was actually a little bit surprised that I was as strong as I was, and I think that’s what won it for me.”
Davis told MMAWeekly.com that the win represents the biggest step forward of her career to date.
“This is fantastic for me to have a win in my first fight for Strikeforce,” she said. “I feel like they’re really trying to push the 135-pound division and I’m really glad to be part of that. Hopefully I can work my way up through the food chain within the next year and get a title shot.”
Fighting on the undercard allowed Davis the opportunity to watch the evening’s 135-pound women’s title fight between Marloes Coenen and Miesha Tate. Having seen them both in action, and having fought former champion Sarah Kaufman (who is next in line for Tate’s title), Davis feels she can match up well with the top in the division.
“I would be happy to fight either one of them,” she said. “Even if it wasn’t for a title shot, I’d fight Miesha anyway, she’s a great competitor.
“I think I can match up pretty well with them. Being that I have fought some of the top women in the sport like Tara (LaRosa) and Shayna (Baszler) – and while maybe not having victories over everyone – I’ve been able to hold my ground.”
Regardless of whom she faces next, Davis hopes she’s impressed Zuffa enough to take on a top level fighter in her next Strikeforce bout.
“That’s the reason why so many women want to sign with them, because you’ll get those quality bouts and get the opportunity to fight the highest-ranked people,” she said. “Hopefully in my next fight, I wouldn’t be surprised if I got a good name (opponent).
“I’m looking to go out there and prove myself, just like everyone else.”
Having seen others get their opportunity before she did, Davis remained stalwart in her quest to get to the top of the woman’s 135-pound weight class, and is now seeing that hard work pay off with her win this past Friday.
She intends to make a name for herself in division and be someone fans can look to for good things coming from her in the future.

“I’m a little disappointed with the way my fight went this weekend, but I hope I get another chance to prove myself out there soon,” she said in closing. “You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but I’m going to be there, and have my gloves on and ready to go.”

Alexis Davis Feels 'Fantastic' After First Strikeforce Win

HOFFMAN ESTATES -- MMA Fighting spoke to Alexis Davis following her win over Julie Kedzie to talk about her Strikeforce debut, her performance overall, where she thinks she ranks in the 135-pound division and more.

Alexis Davis, Canada’s other female fighter

Tonight one of the most successful female Canadian mixed martial artists will step into to the Strikeforce cage for the very first time, and chances are you’ve never heard of her.
But with the exposure that being on a big card such as the co-promoted Strikeforce / M-1 Global – Fedor vs. Henderson, Port Colborne, Ontario’s Alexis Davis (9-4) thinks that that will soon change.
Speaking to MM-eh from Fort Lauderdale, Florida earlier this week, the 26-year-old Davis described her reaction to the offer of fighting Julie Kedzie (16-8) in the world’s second largest MMA promotion.
“How could you say no to that?” she laughed.
Davis runs the Port Colborne location of Dayboll Jiu Jitsu, and has been fighting professionally since 2007. She is the current bantamweight champion of the New York based Raging Wolf organization.
Her last fight was a submission win over Tonya Evinger via rear-naked-choke last November.
“Raging Wolf was very good to me.” She said. “They gave me some good quality opponents, and it was awesome because it’s only a half hour away from home, so all my family and friends could come and watch me fight.”
Davis was hesitant when asked if she felt that the great success of fellow Canadian Sarah Kaufman, widely regarded as one of the best female fighters in the world, has maybe taken away the possibility of the spotlight from her.
“I have, but you know with Strikeforce coming up I think things are going to change. I think the exposure is going to be phenomenal for me.”
The fight tonight with Kedzie is the first of a four-fight contract with Strikeforce, and to prepare for her Davis spent several weeks at World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Pablo Popovich’s BJJ Center in Florida, which she thinks helped her polish off her already strong ground game.
She wanted to make clear that she is taking this opportunity very seriously, although she’s not sure that Kedzie is.
“We’re prepared for a war. I’ve heard rumours that she may be taking me a little bit lightly, but that doesn’t bother me at all. I’m just going to fight my fight and I know what I have to do to win.”
Davis has an idea of how the fight will play out.
“I think she’s going to stand and trade for awhile because I don’t think she’s going to want to go to the ground. I think she’s going to be working a lot to push me against the cage, but I see it ending with a submission.”
Of course being on a fight card with two iconic figures such as Fedor and Henderson, MM-eh would have been remiss had we not asked how for her prediction on their fight.
“It’s going to be a close fight, but I have to say that I’m kinda rooting for Henderson a bit in there. I’m a fan of both of them. It’s hard to say, but I think I want to give Henderson a little bit of the edge. I’ve met him once at the MMA Expo in Toronto and he was such a nice guy.”
It’s never a good idea for a fighter to look too far down the road, for fear of missing the danger that’s in their immediate future. But Davis did mention one thing that she’d like to happen after the fight with Kedzie is over.
“I would love to hold that Strikeforce title.”
Alexis Davis is sponsored by: Clinch Gear and Razor Wear MMA

REPLAY – MMAmadhouse LIVE RADIO with Alexis Davis

MMA News - Alexis Davis

Don’t miss tonight’s episode of MMAmadhouse.com’s LIVE RADIO at 8pm PST as 135lb WMMA superstar Alexis Davis (9-4) will be calling in to talk about her upcoming bout with Julie Kedzie (16-8)
Both fighters are making their Strikeforce debuts on the July 30th Fedor vs. Henderson event at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, IL

Click [HERE] for the fight card!

Listen to internet radio with MMAmadhouse LIVE on Blog Talk Radio

 

Bigger Show Equals Bigger Opportunities for Alexis Davis

After four years of fighting, and thirteen MMA bouts which included three title victories in all three title fights, Alexis Davis is now fighting for the big show. In a recent interview with MMA Warlike, she expressed her excitement to be a part of the ever growing community of female MMA fighters. But with bigger and bigger fights comes added media attention, and potential distractions from the fight itself. Having fought in big fights before, Alexis says her focus will be on the fight come July 30, and nothing else.

Alexis victorious at "Raging Wolf" with Master Dave Dayboll

Over the past few years especially, women's MMA has seen a significant growth in their audience that's been at just the same pace, if not faster then it's male counter-part and Alexis could not be happier to be a part of it all. "It's awesome," said the Strikeforce newcomer, "especially now being signed on with Strikeforce, we're the at the forefront of women's MMA."

Admittedly, Alexis says that there are more things to deal with outside of training that could be potential distractions. "The main thing for me moving into Strikeforce is all the prep before hand. Like talking with more media, and you have to be there a little early." However she says nothing is going to effect what she is there to do come fight night. "As I have gotten more used to it, the easier it has become." "It comes with the turf. It's part of the gig."



Alexis is no stranger to big fights, so the move up into a league the size of Strikeforce isn't going to change her actions or shift her focus come Saturday night. Being a part of three title fights in the Raging Wolf Women's fighting league over a span of barely more then a year and coming out victorious on all three occasions, has given her plenty of experience in that category. "I've fought some big fights before so it doesn't really bother me. I don't even notice the people really once I'm out there," she said. "I'm in my own world."

Having gone on a six fight win streak early in her career, Alexis has traded wins and losses in her last six. She's no doubt hoping fellow Strikeforce newcomer and Greg Jackson based fighter Julie Kedzie, will be her jumping off point for another long win streak, and a permanent home in what is currently the biggest market for women's MMA.

Alexis Davis would like to thank and  is sponsored by:
http://www.clinchgear.com/
http://www.razorwear.com/
http://www.mmawarlike.com/

Alexis Davis vs. Julie Kedzie Latest Addition to Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson Card

Alexis Davis (pictured)

A welterweight women’s match-up is the latest addition to the Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson card with Alexis Davis meeting Julie Kedzie as both fighters make their promotional debuts.
The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the match-up on Wednesday.
Alexis Davis (9-4) makes her Strikeforce debut after signing a multi-fight deal with the promotion just recently.
A veteran fighter, Davis has fought some of the toughest names in the women’s division and holds two victories over former Elite XC fighter Tonya Evinger.
Facing Davis in her Strikeforce debut will be Team Greg Jackson fighter Julie Kedzie (16-8) who will also be making her first appearance in the promotion after stints in Elite XC, Bodog and Hook ‘N’ Shoot.
Kedzie was originally scheduled to be a part of the Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum card, but her opponent Amanda Nunes was injured, and she was subsequently removed from the show.
Now she’ll bring her 4-fight win streak to Strikeforce to face Davis instead.
There’s been no word where the fight between Kedzie and Davis will be slotted, but it’s most likely to be preliminary bout on the card.

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Damon Martin is the lead staff writer and radio host for MMAWeekly.com.
Follow @DamonMartin on Twitter or e-mail Damon a question or comment.

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