Joey Davis

Joel Malcolm Davis (born December 29, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist and graduated folkstyle wrestler who currently competes in the welterweight division of Bellator MMA.[2] As a wrestler at Notre Dame College, he was the only four-time undefeated NCAA Division II National Champion in history and one of the three to do so across all NCAA divisions.

Joey Davis
BornJoey Malcom Davis
(1993-12-29) December 29, 1993
Compton, California, United States
Other namesBlack Ice
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
DivisionWelterweight (170 lbs)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StyleWrestling
Fighting out ofCompton, California, United States
TeamTeam Bodyshop
WrestlingNCAA Division II Wrestling[1]
Years active2016–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total9
Wins8
By knockout5
By decision3
Losses1
By decision1
Amateur record
Total5
Wins5
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Notre Dame Falcons
NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place2013 Birmingham165 lb
Gold medal – first place2014 Cleveland174 lb
Gold medal – first place2015 St. Louis174 lb
Gold medal – first place2016 Sioux Falls184 lb

Wrestling career

High school

Born in Compton, California, Davis attended Santa Fe High School, where he was a two-sport athlete, playing football and competing in wrestling.[3] He started wrestling at age five, and he was a CIF state finalist his sophomore year and state champion in his junior and senior seasons as a high schooler.[4] Nationally, he was a two-time FloNationals champion and a Reno champion.[4]

Davis was an NCAA Division I recruit as a football player, however, he chose to wrestle.[5]

College

After graduating from high school, Davis committed to wrestle at Notre Dame College.[6]

Davis finished his true freshman season with 33 victories and no defeats and an NCAA title at 165 pounds. After moving up to 174 pounds, Davis compiled 35 more wins and closed the season undefeated, claiming titles from the Clarion Knight Point Open, Michigan State Open, Cleveland State Open, University of Indianapolis Greyhound Open, NCAA Division II Super Region I and the NCAA National Championship.[7] As a junior, he compiled a record of 38–0 and won his third NCAA Division II National title.[8] In his fourth and last season, Davis was able to close the show with a National title at 184 pounds and the Outstanding Wrestler Award, finishing his overall career with 133 wins and no losses.[9][10]

Davis is one of the three undefeated four-time NCAA champions, sharing the podium with Cael Sanderson (159–0) from Division I and Marcus LeVesseur (155–0) from Division III.[11]

Freestyle

In May 2016, Davis competed at the annual Beat The Streets event, named Salsa in the Square. He faced three-time NCAA Division I Champion and Dan Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer. He lost the match by points, being outscored 9 points to none.[12]

Mixed martial arts career

Davis started competing in mixed martial arts while he was still competing in college, amassing an undefeated record of 5 wins and no losses.[13]

Bellator MMA

Davis signed with Bellator MMA in June 2016, months after his last wrestling season in college.[14]

Davis made his professional debut at an 175-pound catchweight bout against Keith Cutrone on August 26, 2016, at Bellator 160. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[15]

Davis faced Justin Roswell on August 25, 2017, at Bellator 182 (a year later his previous bout). He won the fight by technical-knockout in the first round.[16]

Davis faced Ian Butler on January 20, 2018, at Bellator 192. He won the fight by knockout 39 seconds into the first round.[17]

Davis faced Craig Plaskett on June 29, 2018, at Bellator 201. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[18]

Davis was scheduled to face Jesse Merritton on March 29, 2019, at Bellator 219. However, Merritton withdrew from the event and was replaced by Marcus Anthony. Davis won the fight by knockout in the first round.[19]

Davis faced Jeff Peterson on October 9, 2019, at Bellator 229. He won the fight by knockout in a minute into the first round.[20]

Davis faced Chris Cisneros on December 20, 2019, at Bellator 235. He won the fight by technical-knockout in the first round.[21]

Davis faced promotional newcomer Bobby Lee on November 19, at Bellator 253.[22] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[23]

After a 2.5 year layoff, Davis made his return against Jeff Creighton on March 31, 2023, at Bellator 293.[24] Despite being a 14-to-1 favorite, Davis lost the bout via split decision.[25]

Awards and accomplishments

Folkstyle wrestling

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
9 matches 8 wins 1 loss
By knockout 5 0
By decision 3 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 8–1 Jeff Creighton Decision (split) Bellator 293 March 31, 2023 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 8–0 Bobby Lee Decision (unanimous) Bellator 253 November 19, 2020 3 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 7–0 Chris Cisneros TKO (punches) Bellator 235 December 20, 2019 1 3:55 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 6–0 Jeffrey Peterson KO (flying knee) Bellator 229 October 9, 2019 1 1:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 5–0 Marcus Anthony KO (punch) Bellator 219 March 29, 2019 1 4:21 Temecula, California, United States
Win 4–0 Craig Plaskett Decision (unanimous) Bellator 201 June 29, 2018 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 3–0 Ian Butler KO (spinning back kick) Bellator 192 January 20, 2018 1 0:39 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 2–0 Justin Roswell TKO (elbows) Bellator 182 August 25, 2017 1 1:35 Verona, New York, United States
Win 1–0 Keith Cutrone Decision (unanimous) Bellator 160 August 26, 2016 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States

See also

References
  1. Dave Doyle (December 20, 2019). "Bellator 235 results: Joey Davis rolls over Chris Cisneros for first-round stoppage". mmajunkie.com.
  2. "Joey Davis – MMA Fighter Profile". Bellator.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  3. "Joey Davis' High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  4. News, CA School (March 16, 2016). "Former Santa Fe High School Standout Joey Davis Wins 4th Consecutive Wrestling Title". California School News Report. Retrieved October 29, 2020. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. "Bio". Joey Black Ice Davis. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  6. CalGrappler (April 10, 2012). "Joey Davis Commits to Notre Dame". CalGrappler – The Home for California High School Wrestling. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  7. "Joey Davis – Wrestling". Notre Dame College Athletics. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  8. Podolski, Mark. "College wrestling: Notre Dame College junior Joey Davis after winning third NCAA title: 'I want to be a legend in this sport'". The News-Herald. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  9. "NCAA Division II Wrestling: Unbeaten Joey Davis dodged gangs, found Notre Dame College". cleveland.com. March 13, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  10. "College wrestling: Notre Dame College's Joey Davis is first D-II undefeated four-time NCAA champ". News-herald.com. January 12, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  11. "Still undefeated: Joey Davis has made smooth transition to MMA". InterMat. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  12. "Notre Dame College's Joey Davis loses to Oklahoma State's Alex Derringer in 'challenge' match". News-herald.com. May 21, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  13. "Undefeated college wrestler and Snoop Dogg coaching product Joey Davis mulls MMA career". Bloody Elbow. May 14, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
  14. Newswire, MMA Fighting (June 15, 2016). "Bellator signs 4-time NCAA Division II champ Joey Davis". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  15. Gallo, Ed (June 25, 2018). "The Style of Joey Davis: Intelligent Destruction". MMASucka.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  16. Matt Erickson (August 25, 2017). "Bellator 182 results: Ex-champ Andrey Koreshkov pounds out Chidi Njokuani in first round". mmajunkie.com.
  17. "Bellator 192: Rampage vs. Sonnen Results, Fight Card and News – MMA Fighting". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  18. "Bellator 201: Macfarlane vs. Lara Results, Fight Card and News – MMA Fighting". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  19. Tucker, Bryan (March 29, 2019). "Bellator 219 Results: Awad vs. Girtz". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  20. Tucker, Bryan (October 4, 2019). "Bellator 229 Results: Koreshkov vs. Larkin". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  21. Tucker, Bryan (December 20, 2019). "Bellator 235 Results: Barnett vs. Markes". MMA Fighting. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  22. Staff Reports. "Two-minute drill: Becker MMA fighter signs with Bellator". St. Cloud Times. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  23. Anderson, Jay (November 19, 2020). "Bellator 253 Results: Joey Davis Too Much for Debuting Bobby Lee". Cageside Press. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  24. Critchfield, Tristen. "Undefeated Welterweight Joey Davis to Return at Bellator 293 on March 31". Sherdog. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  25. "Joey Davis suffers first loss in Bellator 293 comeback". Orange County Register. April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
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