Having spent five years as a top-ranked light heavyweight in the UFC, Phil Davis is now pushing for significant alterations to the promotion`s operational methods. His aim is to ensure he and others can continue to compete at the highest level.
A new antitrust case was initiated against the UFC in late May, with Phil Davis listed as the primary plaintiff. Distinct from previous prominent lawsuits, including one recently settled for $375 million and another ongoing, this new legal challenge does not pursue financial compensation. Instead, it targets specific UFC business practices, aiming to modify contracts by removing restrictive terms and introducing a clause that permits fighters to end their contracts without penalty within a year.
According to Davis, the core issue is enabling fighters to pursue the most significant competitive opportunities, something he found impossible after departing the UFC.
Davis stated that his motivation isn`t recreational. “My chance to compete against the world`s top fighters has been restricted,” he explained. “I can`t do that outside the UFC. That feels like a significant injustice.” He cited a personal example: “I was the Bellator champion when Glover Teixeira won the UFC title. I had previously beaten him convincingly, but I couldn`t get the opportunity for a rematch. He deserves credit for his title, but I believe I could beat him again. It just doesn`t seem fair.”
“Anyone serious about professional sports aims to be the best,” he added. “You compete against the top talent to demonstrate your skill. That`s solely what I`m fighting for – the chance to prove I`m the best globally.”
While prize fighting inherently involves financial aspects, Davis emphasizes that this specific lawsuit is solely focused on compelling the UFC to alter its business practices.
His primary objective is the removal of contract restrictions, such as those that prevented him from seeking a rematch against a UFC champion like Teixeira, simply because he was signed to a competing organization.
“I`m not seeking any damages or financial compensation,” Davis stated firmly. “Nobody promised me anything. My only desire is the ability to fight the best opponents, and I want this opportunity not just for myself, but for every fighter out there.”
“If you`ve reached the elite level, you should have the chance to compete against the world`s best,” he continued. “Why would I not support that for others? I want it for myself, and I want it for every participant in this sport – the chance to be the best, fight the best, and deliver major bouts for the fans. That scenario benefits everyone. Only one entity stands to lose. This isn`t motivated by personal animosity; it`s about what`s necessary for the sport`s health.”
Davis, a former NCAA wrestling champion for Penn State, drew a comparison, saying it would be absurd if collegiate athletes were prevented from competing against each other simply because they belonged to different conferences.
Davis is confident that success in his lawsuit would positively impact every current MMA fighter.
“No other major sports league operates this way,” Davis noted. “Even in college sports, we`d have out-of-conference matchups, like when Penn State, ranked #2, scheduled a dual meet against #1 Oklahoma State from a different conference. We made sure that fight happened.” He recounted, “Penn State came out on top.”
“That`s how sports should function,” he asserted. “If you want to claim the top spot held by someone else, you schedule the contest, you compete, and ideally, you prove yourself the best. In that scenario, everyone involved benefits.”
As MMA`s global popularity expands, Davis believes these changes are crucial not only for the fighters but also for the overall health and competitiveness of the combat sports landscape.
“MMA has matured significantly and continues to evolve,” Davis concluded. “However, the current practices are obsolete and overly restrictive. Frankly, any world-ranked fighter should have the undisputed right to compete against others at that level.”
Percy Harlow