UFC 155: December 29, 2012 Las Vegas, Nevada UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Phil Davis (-290) Profile: One of the most decorated grapplers in the UFC, Phil Davis (9-1, 1 NC) has taken a phenomenal Division I wrestling career at Penn State – placing fifth nationally in 2007 and winning the NCAA title in 2008 – and made a successful transition to MMA. After only four pro fights, the 27-year-old Pennsylvania native made the move to the UFC and defeated Brian Stann so soundly in his debut at UFC 109 that Stann moved down a weight class to middleweight. Wins over quality opponenets such as Alexander Gustafsson, Tim Boetsch and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira followed, giving Davis a shot at former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans, who dominated him at UFC on FOX 2. Davis answered any questions about his ability to beat Wagner Prado after an accidental eye poke with a submission in their second meeting at UFC 153. UFC Light Heavyweight Contender Forrest Griffin (+220) Profile: The first winner of The Ultimate Fighter, Forrest Griffin is nearing the end of his storied career, and one of the final chapters will be completing his trilogy with former champion Tito Ortiz at UFC 148. After losing via split decision to Ortiz in what was the Fight of the Year in 2006, the 33-year-old Griffin bounced back and took home a split decision victory of his own in 2009. Now, they look to settle the score in what will definitely be the last fight for Ortiz on a day he is inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Griffin is coming off a tough first-round knockout loss to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in front of a Brazilian crowd at UFC 134 last August 27 that was also a rematch of an earlier submission win at UFC 76. Before that loss, he defeated Rich Franklin via unanimous decision at UFC 126, one of just four bouts for him over the last three years, including the second fight against Ortiz at UFC 106 and a first-round knockout loss at the hands of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 101. After ending the career of Tito Ortiz at UFC 148 with a UD victory, he Griffin will look to prolong his own with a tough matchup against Phil Davis at UFC 155 to end the year. Opening UFC 155 Odds Analysis: MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas made Davisa solid -290 favorite (bet $290 to win $100) while Griffin opened as a +220 underdog (bet $100 to win $220) according to the MMA odds. Griffin was originally scheduled to face Chael Sonnen at UFC 155, but UFC president Dana White pulled Sonnen from the bout so he could match up against Jon Jones in The Ultimate Fighter 17. Even though Griffin has been one of the most important fighters in UFC history, White seems to believe he is on the brink of retirement. Whether or not this is Griffin’s last fight remains to be seen, as he obviously thinks differently than his boss and will try to hold on as long as he can. Davis is a completely different fighter than Griffin, as he is a superior wrestler who is also flashy and on the rise in the light heavyweight division. While Griffin has a huge edge in experience, he will get a big challenge from Davis and might try to grind out a victory similar to how he beat Ortiz. Davis has been involved in five decisions among his 12 career fights, and his last two bouts that went to the judges were both against similar veteran opponents in Rashad Evans (loss) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (win). Griffin’s best shot here is to win a decision, but Davis is extremely dangerous and more than capable of finishing him before it gets to that point.
