Bellator is Close to Signing Phil Davis

It appears as though Phil Davis is on the verge of signing with Bellator MMA.

According to sources close to the situation, Davis, 30, is very close to inking a new multi-fight contract with the promotion, and the deal could be officially announced as soon as Wednesday.

Davis, whose UFC contract expired after his January loss to Ryan Bader at UFC on FOX 14, has a 13-3 (1 NC) record. He started his career an impressive 9-0 before losing to Rashad Evans at UFC on FOX 2 in January 2012. "Mr. Wonderful" holds notable wins in the UFC over Alexander Gustafsson, Brian Stann, Tim Boetsch, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Lyoto Machida and Glover Teixeira. He is currently ranked no. 7 in the UFC's light-heavyweight rankings.

MMA Sun first tweeted about the possibility of the signing last week.

A four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Penn State University, Davis is managed by Zinkin Entertainment, who's long had a great working relationship with Bellator president Scott Coker.

No word just yet on when Davis is currently scheduled to debut for the organization or against who.

Link: http://www.mmafighting.com/2015/4/15/8420649/phil-davis-close-to-signing-with-bellator-mma

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Thoughts? 

Personally, I say "Good job, Bellator" with this if it goes through.

I think Newton could beat Davis too but maybe only 1 out of 8 times.

@Yoss I think someone like Stephen Puetz could easily beat Phil Davis.  Even though is lower ranked, he has the striking skills (like McGeary) to frustrate Davis and can knock him out. 

Im not saying no one can beat him in Bellator I'm saying the only people who could possibly beat him are top 2-3 guys at lhw. I'm hoping they start him off with lesser opponents so he can string together a couple of submissions and then start fighting the real competition.

Bellator is on a free agent signing frenzy, as they have just signed RFA Featherweight Champion Justin Lawrence.

 http://mmajunkie.com/2015/04/bellator-mma-signs-rfa-featherweight-champ-ufc-vet-justin-lawrence

Still waiting for them to re-sign Frodo Khasbulaev.  However, this is another relatively big name they have added to their roster.

Figured they would sign Lawrence after his last fight and iirc frodo had visa issues 

Another signing made by Bellator as they have just inked a 4 fight deal with Blackzilian Heavyweight prospect Lorenzo Hood.  Apparently they out negotiated the UFC to acquire him.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/4/27/8450295/bellator-lorenzo-hood-blackzilians-signing-heavyweight-bobby-lashley-ufc-mma-news

Bellator is still signing ex UFC fighters which was what they said they would not do.

I thought that was Bjorn doing the whole we don't want ex UFC fighters shtick.  I thought Scott was we will vigorouslys go after every free agent.

@bigj You would be correct in that assessment.