Mike Davis plans drop to featherweight after brutal KO win at UFC Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. – Mike Davis beat Thomas Gifford with a third-round knockout Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN+ 19 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Take a look inside the fight with Davis, who has won three of his past four, all by stoppage.

Result: Mike Davis def. Thomas Gifford via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 4:45
Updated records: Davis (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Gifford (17-9 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
Key stat: Davis landed 141 strikes in the fight, including 89 to Davis’ head.

Davis on the fight’s key moment

“I knew I was hurting him with those shots, even if he didn’t show it. One thing I noticed is that he never blocks that left hook. I hit him every time I threw it. I saw him stumble every time, so I just kept at it.”

Davis on his challenging road

“(It) feels amazing to get my first UFC win. I went 23 fights in a row undefeated – boxing, muay Thai, MMA, all-pro – and then I had my first loss against Sodiq (Yusuff). He came with a game plan, and I lost that fight. I moved gyms, I started meditating, I learned and adjusted everything. I took two fights after that, two wins, and then took on Gilbert Burns. I had fun in that fight – I actually look up to Gilbert. I lost that fight, but had fun. So it feels amazing to be back in the win column, and I intend to stay here.”

Davis on what he wants next

“I would like to go down to 145 for my next one with a full camp this time, please. I feel like I’ve earned that. If you want to put me on a December card, I’m down.”

To hear more from Davis, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.