Davis, and light heavyweight Danilo Marques, have both exited the company. In both cases, it appears the fighters completed their contracts, and were not re-signed. UFC Roster Watch, an automated service that monitors changes to the UFC’s fighter database, first took note of the news.

An additional report by MMA Fighting noted that it was unlikely either fighter would be brought back at this time.

It’s particularly surprising in the case of Davis (21-11), who had posted a 2-1 record in her last three fights. After a failed run at flyweight, Davis had returned to the 135lb division last year, winning a unanimous decision against Sabina Mazo. She then dropped a decision to Pannie Kianzad, before bouncing back earlier this month with another unanimous decision win, this time over Julija Stoliarenko.

Davis originally joined the UFC in 2013, having previously competed for Strikeforce. A three-fight win streak saw her earn a shot against then-champ Ronda Rousey. It was over in 16 seconds, with Rousey winning by KO.

If she opts to continue her career, the 37-year old Port Colbourne, Ontario native could be an immediate contender for the likes of Bellator MMA — though whether she’d consider another drop to flyweight remains to be seen.

Danilo Marques (11-4) went 2-2 in his four-fight UFC run. While the Brazilian started strong with two consecutive wins in the light heavyweight division, he’d lost his last two. Most recently, Marques was stopped via TKO by promotional newcomer Jailton Almeida.

The post Despite Coming Off Win, Alexis Davis No Longer on UFC Roster, Danilo Marques Also Out appeared first on Cageside Press.

Extra hard-fought when you factor in the illegal upkick she ate during the fight. Between that, and a number of tight arm-bar attempts, Davis (21-11) had her hands full Saturday — but the Canadian bantamweight was prepared.

“I knew that she was great at her arm-bars, she’s had several arm-bar finishes,” David told media outlets including Cageside Press following the bout. She told herself that despite it being a position she didn’t want to be in, just to “stay calm, relax, and just work my way through it.”

And she did, escaping the arm-bar several times. The upkick, meanwhile, halted the fight for several minutes, but Davis was able to continue.

“That kind of sucked,” admitted Davis. “But you know, so did the punches to my face. It was— I still felt okay afterwards. Nobody wants to end a fight like that. Win or lose, if I was in her position. I just don’t feel like it was intentional, just kind of in that moment.”

Asked if the ref should have deducted a point from Stoliarenko for the foul — he didn’t — Davis responded by saying it hadn’t occurred to her. “I didn’t even think about it until right now. In the end it didn’t matter. My game plan was to come out on top anyways.”

In that sense, she succeeded, and is now 2-1 since returning to the bantamweight division last year, after a stint at 125lbs. The newfound success comes with a rekindled love for MMA, Davis later stated.

“I feel good, I feel like I have a new lease on life, at least on my fight life. I feel great, I feel like I want to keep pushing it. I want to keep this going. I feel like I have a new love for it, that I didn’t have for a while.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 47 post-fight press scrum with Alexis Davis above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post UFC Vegas 47: Alexis Davis Reacts to Illegal Upkick During Stoliarenko Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

The lone fight on the female side of things at UFC Vegas 47 featured Canada’s Alexis Davis up against fellow bantamweight Julija Stolianrenko.

A former title challenger, Davis was 1-1 since returning to the 135lb division in 2021. Stoliarenko, who suffered a scary mishap at weigh-ins last year, appearing to faint ahead of her fight with Julia Avila, was 0-2 since joining the UFC as a former Invicta FC bantamweight champ. 0-3, counting her 2018 bout at The Ultimate Fighter 28 finale.

Davis jumped on top to start the bout after Stoliarenko slipped to end up on her back. Davis jumped in guard and began landing big ground and pound, but Stoliarenko locked up a deep armbar attempt. However, the Canadian battled out and began landing some shots from the top. Stoliarenko continued to look for the armbar for the rest of the round to no avail. The biggest moment came near the end of the round, as Davis ate an illegal upkick that temporarily halted the fight for several minutes.

Stoliarenko answered Davis’s grappling in round two with a wild stand-up approach. The former Invicta FC bantamweight bloodied up her Canadian counterpart with a variety of left hands and began to find a home for her calf kick as well. Davis for her part continued marching forward and showcased her trademark toughness to lead into the third and final round.

Davis opened the final round with a massive calf kick of her own, that dropped Stoliarenko. The Canadian jumped in the guard and began raining down blows while her opponent began to look for an armbar. Davis dominated the rest of the round from the top, and bloodied up Stoliarenko with elbows while the former Invicta FC champion was unable to stop any of the damage from the bottom.

Official Result: Alexis Davis def. Julija Stoliarenko by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-27)

The post UFC Vegas 47: Alexis Davis Survives Illegal Upkick, Defeats Julija Stoliarenko appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Wednesday, UFC officials announced four bouts for the card. Among them, a previously unreported showdown between former bantamweight title challenger Alexis Davis (20-11) and Julija Stoliarenko (9-5-2).

FOUR Canadian fights are official for February 5th!

🇨🇦@meanhakeemko vs Michael Trizano
🇨🇦@PowerBarriault vs Chidi Njokuani
🇨🇦@AlexisDavisMMA vs Julija Stoliarenko
🇨🇦@MALCOLM_X_MMA vs Denys Bondar pic.twitter.com/KahHHeU64l

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 29, 2021

After a drop to flyweight that saw her post a 1-4 record, Davis returned to the bantamweight division earlier this year, and has gone 1-1 thus far. In her return fight, the Port Colborne, Ontario native defeated rising prospect Sabina Mazo. Her second fight back didn’t have the same happy outcome; Davis wound up losing a unanimous decision against Pannie Kianzad.

Julija Stoliarenko has lost back-to-back bouts against Julia Avila and Yana Kunitskaya. The former Invicta FC fighter is in dire need of a win with that 0-2 record inside the octagon in mind.

Also confirmed for the UFC’s February 5 Fight Night event are a middleweight bout between Quebec’s Marc-Andre Barriault and Chidi Njokuani, a flyweight scrap between Denys Bondar and Calgary’s Malcolm Gordon, and fellow Calgary native Hakeem Dawodu facing Mike Trizano in a featherweight fight.

Gordon’s manager Daniel Rubenstein had previously confirmed the date with Bondar following an initial report by MMA Junkie. Barriault vs. Njokuani was first reported back in September, during a Dana White’s Contender Series broadcast. Dawodu vs. Trizano was originally reported by MMA DNA.

No location, venue, or broadcast plan has been officially announced for the UFC’s February 5, 2022 event. The following bouts have been reported for the date thus far:

Jack Hermansson vs. Sean Strickland
Marc-André Barriault vs. Chidi Njokuani
Jason Witt vs. Phil Rowe
Miles Johns vs. John Castaneda
Steven Peterson vs. Julian Erosa
Michael Trizano vs. Hakeem Dawodu
Sam Alvey vs. Phil Hawes
Bryan Battle vs. Tresean Gore
Denys Bondar vs. Malcolm Gordon
Danilo Marques vs. Jailton Almeida
Nick Maximov vs. Punahele Soriano
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Carlston Harris
Alexis Davis vs. Julija Stolianrenko

The post UFC: Alexis Davis vs. Julija Stoliarenko Among Multiple Fights Announced for Feb. 5 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Davis had recently, and successfully, made her return to the bantamweight division by defeating Sabina Mazo. The Canadian was looking to make it two straight in Arizona, nearly seven years after a failed title bid against Ronda Rousey.

Right of the bat in the featured prelim fight Saturday, Kianzad landed a left hand over the top. Davis opted to counter-strike, and found some success, with Kianzad slowing after that early statement. She would clinch and put Davis on the fence, but couldn’t keep her there. As the round progressed, Davis found some success with her left hand, and they headed to the second with things rather close.

Kianzad landed a left and later a right in the first half-minute of the second round. Davis would go to the body with a kick a minute or so later. Plenty of back and forth, with Kianzad’s strikes putting Davis on the back foot whenever she decided to move into range. Davis would pop off a calf kick, but she wasn’t throwing enough for them to have any real effect. Towards the end of the round, Kianzad tried a spinning back fist, but it was Davis who finished things up by putting Kianzad down care of a trip.

Round three saw Davis landing her jab and adding a knee. She put a combination together, while Kianzad struggled a bit with her mobility. The round played out on the feed, with Kianzad bloodied, and backing up more and more as things progressed. Davis moved in-and-out, timing her attacks well. Kianzad found success with her right in the final minute.

By UD 🗣

🇸🇪 @PannieKianzad notches her 4th straight win! #UFC263 pic.twitter.com/ttLEI0ePwc

— UFC (@ufc) June 12, 2021

The third round was Davis’ best, but Kianzad had done enough to take home the victory on the scorecards.

Official Result: Pannie Kianzad def. Alexis Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

The post UFC 263 Results: Pannie Kianzad Survives Close Fight with Alexis Davis appeared first on Cageside Press.

The UFC announced via press release Tuesday that No. 11 ranked bantamweight Pannie Kianzad will fight Alexis Davis at the PPV event on June 12. Davis would confirm the news on her Instagram.

Coming for her 2nd straight W!!

🇨🇦@AlexisDavisMMA steps in to face 🇸🇪@PannieKianzad at #UFC263! pic.twitter.com/bJuTIfK0Ph

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) May 11, 2021

Kianzad (12-5) is riding a three-fight win streak since losing her UFC debut in 2019. Last year she fought twice, securing her ranking in the bantamweight division. At UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Till on ‘Fight Island,’ Kianzad defeated former title challenger Bethe Correia via unanimous decision. “Banzai” would return on the last UFC event of 2020 to defeat Sijara Eubanks.

With her back against the wall, Davis (20-10) snapped her three-fight losing streak earlier this year at UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gane against prospect Sabina Mazo. She would win a unanimous decision. Davis was also returning off of a lengthy lay-off. After spending her last four fights at flyweight, the Canadian also returned to bantamweight, where she started her UFC career. A win over Kianzad will put her back into the rankings where she sat for many years.

UFC 263 takes place June 12, 2021, will be held at the Gila River Arena, in Glendale Arizona. The card boasts two title fights and currently breaks down as follows:

• Israel Adesanya (c) vs. Marvin Vettori – for the UFC middleweight championship
• Deiveson Figueiredo (c) vs. Brandon Moreno – for the UFC flyweight championship
• Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz
• Paul Craig vs. Jamahal Hill
• Demian Maia vs. Belal Muhammad
• Drew Dober vs. Brad Riddell
• Eryk Anders vs. Darren Stewart
• Lauren Murphy vs. Joanne Calderwood
• Movsar Evloev vs. Hakeem Dawodu
• Pannie Kianzad vs. Alexis Davis
• Frank Camacho vs. Matt Frevola
• Sijara Eubanks vs. Karol Rosa
• Chase Hooper vs. Steven Peterson
• Fares Ziam vs. Luigi Vendramini
• Carlos Felipe vs. Jake Collier

The post Pannie Kianzad vs. Alexis Davis Set For UFC 263 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Davis, who fell to MMA superstar Ronda Rousey at a time when the entire female side of the sport seemed to revolve around “Rowdy,” had made the move down to flyweight in 2017, in search of a fresh start. Things at 125lbs, however, did not go her way. The Canadian won her initial bout against Liz Carmouche, then dropped three straight.

At UFC Vegas 20, she was welcomed back to bantamweight by rising prospect Sabina Mazo, who was also making the move up to 135lbs.

Mazo was essentially landing at will early, splitting the guard with straight punches. Davis, however, caught a lazy kick and dumped “The Colombian Queen” on her back, moving in on top. Davis moved to side control, with Mazo trying to push off and spin out. Davis was able to get a hook in and take the back when Mazo tried to power up, adding the second hook moments later. Mazo rolled, and Davis went to work on the rear-naked choke. Sabina Mazo fought hands, then turned in, looking to transition to the top — but Davis defended perfectly and maintained the dominant position.

The hand speed and accuracy of Mazo was on display again early in round two. This time, it was Mazo catching a kick, though she couldn’t do anything with it and instead released the limb. But as the round played out, Davis was unable to get the fight down, and instead engaged in a rather futile kickboxing match with Mazo, who had the clear edge in stand-up. At best, Davis was winning in the kicks department. But Mazo’s hands were equally effective. It wasn’t until the final thirty seconds when Davis secured a takedown, but that may not have been enough to win the frame.

Again in the third, a caught kick was converted to a takedown by Alexis Davis. The Canadian worked to take the back as Mazo worked to her knees. Davis would secure the back, at least for a time. Mazo would later threaten with an arm-bar, before giving up her back once again. Davis had both hooks in, and was in the driver’s seat. She never could secure the choke, but was the clear winner in the end.

Official Result: Alexis Davis def. Sabina Mazo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

The post UFC Vegas 20 Results: Alexis Davis Defeats Sabina Mazo in Bantamweight Return appeared first on Cageside Press.

Davis (19-10) will face Mazo (9-1) at the UFC’s February 27 card. The event does not have an official name, number, or location attached to it. However, it is expected to be a Fight Night event.

News of the booking was first reported by Milenio.

Mazo previously fought at flyweight, and is on a three-fight win streak heading into the bout. The 23-year old from Colombia known as “The Colombian Queen” held gold at 125lbs outside the UFC, under the Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) banner.

It’s unclear at the moment whether the move to 135lbs will be permanent, given Mazo’s success at 125lbs.

Davis, on the other hand, will be returning to the bantamweight division for the first time since 2017. The Canadian from Port Colborne challenged Ronda Rousey for gold in 2014. Like many others did, she came up short to “Rowdy.” She eventually moved to flyweight in 2017, picking up a win over Liz Carmouche. However, the former Strikeforce talent has been on a rocky road as of late, dropping her last three fights.

The UFC’s February 27, 2021 card currently features the following fights:

Dominick Reyes vs. Jiří Procházka
William Knight vs. Alonzo Menifield
Sabina Mazo vs. Alexis Davis

The post UFC: Alexis Davis vs. Sabina Mazo Booked for February 27 appeared first on Cageside Press.

In a flyweight contest, veteran Alexis Davis welcomes prospect Viviane Araujo to Canada at UFC 240.

Davis had lost two consecutive bouts for the first time in her career heading into UFC 240. However, both losses were to top-five contenders at 125-pounds, with the most recent loss to Jennifer Maia coming back in March. The former title-challenger at 135-pounds looked to return to her winning ways in her home country.

Araujo showed promise in her last contest, defeating Talita Bernardo at 135-pounds on very short notice. Prior to that spectacular win, Araujo had only competed at strawweight. The Brazilian had finished all of her seven wins and had never seen the scorecards in prior contests. Heading into UFC 240, Araujo looked to leave Canada with a number next to her name and the biggest win of her career.

Round 1:

The ladies touch gloves in the featured prelim on ESPN. Araujo has a clear speed advantage early. Davis starts to pressure forward though as both women exchange in the pocket. Araujo’s hands looked very sharp within the opening two minutes as Davis seemed a step behind. The left hand of Araujo couldn’t miss throughout the opening round. Araujo landed a solid superman punch but Davis took it well. Davis lands a knee in the clinch but Araujo escapes. Araujo wins the opening round but seemed to slow a little at the end.

Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Araujo. 

Round 2:

Araujo continued to dance around Davis early – where she threw mostly single, short, fast shots. Davis tried to clinch but Araujo avoided any damage. Araujo seemed to be slowing quicker in the second round though as she moved less. Araujo managed to take Davis down, but Davis managed to reverse the Brazilian to get top position. With half of the round left, Davis has time to work. Davis managed to punish Araujo, as she landed elbows in Araujo’s guard. The elbows won Davis the round.

Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Davis. 

Round 3: 

As both ladies entered the third round, it was a round both ladies needed to win. Araujo’s jab was effective early once again, as she peppered Davis at range. Araujo started to follow with a right hand behind the jab, which also landed. Davis attempted a double leg takedown early in the third round, but Araujo managed to defend well. Davis lands a body kick but her face is busted up. The punches of Araujo are landing often as Davis had zero head movement. Davis started to walk Araujo down, but was walking into Araujo’s strikes. Davis attempted another takedown, but Araujo defended again. Araujo stand up and makes Davis follow her up with just under two minutes left in the round. Araujo is just landing at will but Davis is very tough. Davis clinches with under a minute to go and is landing knees against the cage. Davis managed to keep Araujo against the fense for the rest of the round, but Araujo should get the decision.

Cageside Press scored the round 10-9 Araujo (29-28 Araujo).

Official Result: Viviane Araujo def. Alexis Davis via Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3).

The post UFC 240 Results: Viviane Araujo Bloodies, Out Points Alexis Davis appeared first on Cageside Press.

May 11 marked the UFC’s big pay-per-view return to the great nation of Brazil as they touched down in Rio De Janeiro. And the action got kicked off in incredibly impressive fashion.

The very first bout of the night took place at 135-pounds as BJJ specialist Talita Bernardo looked to get her second career win inside the Octagon. Originally supposed to be taking on Jessica-Rose Clark, an injury would force Bernardo’s Aussie opponent out of the bout a few weeks prior.

Stepping in for Clark would be a newcomer in Brazil’s Melissa Gatto. Unfortunately, Gatto would also be forced out of the bout with Bernardo, but this time, much closer to fight night. Thus giving Viviane Araujo (7-1) the opportunity of a lifetime.

Capitalizing on her chance in full force, Araujo would flawlessly pick apart Bernardo en route to a stunning third-round knockout. No weight cut, no problem.

Now looking to keep that momentum going, Combate has confirmed that rather than returning to strawweight like she was expected to, Araujo will instead go down just one weight class to the 125-pound flyweight division. Welcoming her will be the seasoned seventh-ranked flyweight contender and former bantamweight title challenger, Alexis Davis (19-9). The pair will meet UFC 240 on July 27 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

A win will be crucial here for the 34-year old Canadian in Davis as she currently rides a two-fight losing streak that’s seen her on the wrong end of unanimous decisions to Katlyn Chookagian and former Invicta FC champion, Jennifer Maia.

UFC 240 is still shaping up, but the card as it currently stands can be seen below.

• Featherweight – (C) Max Holloway vs Frankie Edgar
• Welterweight – Erik Koch vs. Kyle Stewart
• Flyweight – Gillian Robertson vs. Sarah Frota
• Flyweight: Lauren Murphy vs. Mara Romero Borella
• Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Alexis Davis

The post Viviane Araujo Drops to Flyweight, Takes on Alexis Davis at UFC 240 appeared first on Cageside Press.