Phil Davis began wrestling at 13, and that would lead him to a long and successful run in MMA. Davis, a former NCAA All-American, has never been finished in his 32-fight career. The former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion has scored victories over the likes of Lyoto Machida, Glover Teixeira, Liam McGeary, Muhammad “King Mo” Lawal, and Emmanuel Newton. The man known as “Mr. Wonderful” has not fought in two years, last competing at Bellator 297 in a split decision loss to Corey Anderson.

 

Rob Wilkinson has been a champion in kickboxing and turned his experience with boxing and kickboxing into MMA success when he won the 2022 PFL Light Heavyweight World Championship. Wilkinson has won eight of his last nine fights, and 17 of his 19 victories have come via a finish – including 14 coming in the first round. Wilkinson fought in the 2024 Regular Season, defeating Tom Breese and Josh Silveira. He then fought in the Semifinals in August, losing to eventual World Champion Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.

 

Which of these two names will score the final Semifinals berth in the 2025 PFL World Tournament at Light Heavyweight?

 

 

Round 1

 

Left jab from Wilkinson to start things. Low kick from Wilkinson. One low kick partially checked by Davis. Body shot misses for Wilkinson. Left hand from Davis. Wilkinson with a left. One-two from Davis. Low kick from Powell. Right hand from Wilkinson. Left hand from Davis, who is moving around quite a bit after the last shot from Wilkinson. Wilkinson with a right. Level change from Davis, but Wilkinson sprawls. He gets a body lock and presses Davis to the fence.

 

Davis reverses the position. Wilkinson gets it back, but the two quickly separate from there. Low kick from Wilkinson, and then he misses a big left. Strong one-two from Wilkinson sending Davis back. Left hand from Davis. Left hand and a low kick from Davis. Low kick from Wilkinson. One-two from Wilkinson. Combination from Davis, a one-two lands on Wilkinson. Strong one-two from Wilkinson, and Davis goes off balance. Davis quickly gets his footing and he lands a right. Davis misses a big overhand. Front kick from Wilkinson.

 

 

Round 2

 

Left hands flashed by both men. Left hand from Wilkinson. Wilkinson flashes the left again. Davis lands a strong right to the head. Davis coming forward. Right hand from Davis and a calf kick. Big right hand from Davis. Wilkinson stumbles! Davis presses! Wilkinson is down and out!

 

 

“Mr. Wonderful” with a wonderful shot to clinch a spot in the next round!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Phil Davis defeats Rob Wilkinson by 2nd round KO (0:51), advancing to the Semifinals in the Light Heavyweight Bracket, where he’ll face Sullivan Cauley.