UFC
Phil Davis tapped to face Forrest Griffin at UFC 155 in December
Oct 19, 2012 - 1:00:55 PM

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Despite losing Chael Sonnen as his opponent, Forrest Griffin will remain on the UFC 155 card this December to close out 2012. UFC President Dana White confirmed as much this week in a conference call regarding Sonnen's coaching slot opposite Jon jones on The Ultimate Fighter.

Now, Griffin has a new opponent, as the UFC announced on Friday that Griffin will now meet Phil Davis on the card. The bout is likely to serve as co-main event under the Heavyweight Championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.

After a loss to Rashad Evans and a "no contest" against Wagner Prado due to an eye poke, Davis finally got his first win of the year earlier this month, submitting Prado in Brazil. Griffin returned to action in July for the first time since his loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua last summer, defeating Tito Ortiz by decision in the third fight between the two men.

Penick's Analysis: There were rumors that Stephan Bonnar was being lined up for the fight, but with his wife soon to give birth and having just suffered a loss to Anderson Silva, he likely wasn't quite ready to return that quickly. For Davis, this is a chance for him to fight a major name and a former Champion who doesn't hold the same advantages over him that Evans did earlier this year. For Griffin, the fight represents a chance to prove his relevance to the division by defeating a highly talented young rising competitor.

[Phil Davis art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]