Chicago — Light heavyweight Sullivan Cauley is well-known as a training partner of former Bellator MMA double-champ Ryan Bader, but this Friday at PFL Chicago, he’ll be in the spotlight himself, part of a big World Tournament semifinal fight with Phil Davis.
Davis, another former Bellator champ, has history with Bader, making him all the more important of a teammate for Cauley this time out. “None of this is rocket science. He [Davis] fights the way he fights, he’s really good, he’s got a good style that suits him well,” stated Cauley, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press during Wednesday’s PFL Chicago media day. “But yeah, Ryan’s definitely been helpful for him.”
Later, Cauley (7-1) would pay his respects to “Mr. Wonderful,” while also noting the different points they’re at in their respective careers. Cauley is 29, Davis more than a decade older than him at 40.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Phil, because he’s been around forever. That is a double-edged sword because he’s getting a little older, he’s out of his prime and I’m kind of just entering mine,” said Cauley. “Going into this tournament we were hoping we’d get Phil in the second round. It would be such a big win, because his resume is so extensive.”
On the opposite side of the bracket, former PFL Global champ Antonio Carlos Jr. faces Simeon Powell, in a similar veteran vs. up-and-comer match-up. Asked about his preference on who he might face in the PFL World Tournament final at 205lbs, Sullivan Cauley sided with the younger man.
“I think it would be cool to fight Simeon Powell just because we’re a couple of young bucks. I think that would be kind of a neat storyline,” he suggested. “But both those guys are good, I’d be happy to beat either of them.”
Watch the full PFL Chicago media day appearance by Sullivan Cauley above.
