At Bantamweight, LC Davis is Ready for the Division’s Top Fighters
At Bantamweight, LC Davis is Ready for the Division’s Top Fighters
Six years into his professional fighting career and mired in a three-fight losing streak, L.C. Davis knew something had to change.
The veteran featherweight considered all options, but the ultimate decision was drop down to 135 pounds and give a run at bantamweight a try. Seven fights into that experiment, and Davis simply can’t believe he didn’t do it sooner.
“I was always small for the featherweight division,” Davis said. “I’ve never walked around at more than about 160 pounds and then competing at 155 pounds or 145 pounds. I knew bantamweight would be better for me, and I honestly think I probably should have been in this division my whole career.”
Since making the move to 135 pounds, Davis has gone 6-1, with the lone loss coming by split decision. Included in that run is a pair of Bellator MMA wins over Zeilton Rodrigues and Taurean Bogguess.
Davis said he’s enjoyed his Bellator MMA experience thus far and hopes to become a title contender in the very near future.
“I’m just excited to see what I can accomplish this year,” Davis said. “With Scott Coker running the promotion, it feels like everything is moving in the right direction with the organization, and I’ve already got two wins in the division. If I keep winning, they’re going to have to give a shot at the belt.”
The next step in that direction takes place at Friday’s “Bellator MMA: Warren vs. Galvao” at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. Davis (22-6) meets Japanse veteran Hideo Tokoro (32-27-2) on the first Spike TV-televised contest of the four-fight main card.
Despite more than 60 bouts of professional experience, Tokoro has fought almost exclusively in his native Japan, and Davis admits he wasn’t initially too familiar with the challenge his opponent would offer.
“Once I had a chance to look him up, I realized he’s definitely a worthy opponent,” Davis said. “Anybody with that much experience is going to present some problems, so I’m excited to put on a show against a tough guy.”
But Davis also has his sights set higher. Friday’s main event sees Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Champion Joe Warren face top challenger Marcos Galvao, and Davis believes he can’t be too far away from getting his shot at the winner.
“I’m ready for the top guys in this division,” Davis said. “I know the names ahead of me, and I know how I match up with them, and I know I can beat them.”
Davis will have a chance to show the world that he deserves respect at 135 pounds. If things go according to plan, fans might be calling for him to get a shot at the belt very soon.
“I feel incredible right now,” Davis said. “I should have been fighting at bantamweight my whole career. In this fight, I’m going to go out there and make a statement with my performance.”
