UFC
UFC 172's Phil Davis thinks Jon Jones wants the "softer side" of the division, critical of title shot process
Mar 2, 2014 - 2:50:56 PM UFC 172's Phil Davis thinks Jon Jones wants the "softer side" of the division, critical of title shot process

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Phil Davis isn't very happy with his current position in the UFC. The light heavyweight contender has victories over quite a few big names in the sport, yet finds himself in a fight with a returning Anthony "Rumble" Johnson at UFC 172 with no guarantee a win brings him towards title contention.

In an interview with MMAFighting.com, Davis sounded off on UFC Champ Jon Jones and more in the division.

"He wants more of the softer side of the division," Davis said of Jones, criticizing him for not taking the Alexander Gustafsson rematch right away. "Most people would rematch. But he said, forget about that, forget about you.' I find that interesting. Very interesting."

"Glover's a big, scary guy. And he swings hard, and that doesn't make for happy afternoons. So, that's a tough fight for him. He's not ready for it."

Davis lamented the opportunities that have been granted to fighters he's beaten, saying he feels like a "good luck charm" for them, and criticized the way title shots have been given out as of late.

"I mean listen, it can be any combination of title things that get you a title shot," Davis said. "Apparently fighting Roy Nelson and then fighting Pat Cummins gets you a title shot. Maybe beating no one in the top 10 like Glover did gets you a title shot. There's no rhyme or reason to getting a title shot. So, beating the number one contender does not get you a title shot. At this point, I don't really care, I think I'm in the best in the world so I'll just keep fighting whoever they put in the cage."

Penick's Analysis: Davis has some very valid criticisms here, and he has somewhat of a right to be upset when he sees guys he's defeated getting big opportunities while he's yet to get a title fight. Then again, some of that gets brought on himself for the way he's been winning fights. The UFC makes the road harder for guys who grind out wins, or who win controversial decisions the likes of which Davis won over Lyoto Machida last year. Davis needs an impressive win over Johnson, and he'll likely get a No. 1 contender fight from there.

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