When Phil Davis found wrestling, it changed the course of his life, as he went on to become a four-time NCAA Division-I All-American and a national champion in the sport. Davis has gone on to become a very successful light heavyweight in MMA, competing on the world’s biggest stages and at one point becoming Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion. In addition to wins over the likes of Lyoto Machida, Glover Teixeira and Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, Davis earned a Semifinals spot with a win over 2022 PFL World Champion Rob Wilkinson in May.

 

A former champion in Muay Thai and Golden Gloves boxing, Sullivan Cauley has not just found success through his strikes, but also with the wrestling he’s developed, thanks to his time at Arizona as a college wrestler, along with work alongside Ryan Bader. Cauley is 7-1 as a pro so far, with all seven victories coming via a first-round stoppage – including six KO/TKOs. Cauley stopped Alex Polizzi in May to earn tonight’s opportunity.

 

Who will go on to face Antonio Carlos Jr. in the Finals of the PFL Light Heavyweight World Tournament?

 

 

Round 1

 

Body shot from Cauley. Low kick from Davis is answered by a right hand from Cauley. Round kick by Davis. Left hand from Cauley. Davis throws a right. Davis throws a left hand. Combination from Cauley. Brief exchange. Right hand by Cauley. Both men miss overhands. Hard low kick from Davis, and he avoids the attack from Cauley. Left hand from Davis. Davis misses a big uppercut. Davis with a body kick to catch Cauley coming in.

 

Cauley flashes the right hand. Cauley flashes the left, and then throws a right. Davis catches him in a body lock and places him against the fence, pressuring. Davis keeps a hold of him and is now on his back. Davis now on his front again against the fence before scoring the trip. Cauley gets up, but Davis gets the mat return. Cauley gets up, and now he’s pressing Davis against the fence. Davis threatens the neck before a jumping kick. Right hand by Davis. Cauley throws a strong right hand that catches Davis’ attention.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Left jab from Cauley. Trade of jabs. Round kick by Davis lands on the body. One-two from Cauley. Right hand on the inside by Cauley. Front kick misses for Davis. Round kick from Davis. Cauley tries to catch the kick and looks for a takedown, but Davis gets away. Cauley, however, landed a right hand that made him feel power. Body kick from Davis. Body jab by Cauley. Davis with a low kick. Davis pressures and he scores a takedown on Cauley.

 

Cauley tries to get to his feet. Davis lands a pair of knees to Cauley, who is now fully on his feet. One of those knees has busted Cauley open around one of his cheeks. Davis keeps a hold of Cauley and looks to get to his back. Cauley tries to use the SmartCage barrier to get Davis off of him. Cauley is able to get away with 90 seconds left in the round. Davis misses a right hand. Strong combination with a head kick, and Davis seems hurt! Strong right hand, and down goes Davis! Davis tries to wrestle his way out of trouble. Cauley keeping a hold of Davis, who is holding onto Cauley’s legs. Davis is able to get the takedown though, and he gets to Cauley’s back! He’s cranking on the neck briefly but lets it go. Cauley gets back to his feet before the bell, but not without eating right hands.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Body kick by Davis. Jab from Cauley. High kick doesn’t fully connect for Davis. Left hand from Cauley. Right hand by Cauley lands flush. Left hand misses for Cauley. Davis misses a wide left. Left hand for Cauley. Cauley flashes the left. One-two from Cauley. A series of left hands from Cauley. Kick from Davis is caught by Cauley, and he presses Davis against the fence. Davis then takes control of the body lock for several seconds, landing before Cauley gets away. A series of left jabs from Cauley. Davis gets inside, but Cauley gets away from the takedown attempt. Davis is relentless, however, and he scores the takedown.

 

Cauley gets back to his feet. A combination ends with a strong right hand for Cauley. Cauley trying to press the pace. Left hand by Cauley. Right hand by Cauley. Both men land the left. Small flurry for Cauley. Single-leg takedown attempt by Davis. Cauley appears to be looking to control Davis’ hands. He lands a strong elbow to push Davis back. Cauley sprawls and stops a takedown attempt from Davis. Davis presses him into the fence anyway. Cauley breaks away with a few seconds left and throws a switch knee before the bell.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Sullivan Cauley defeats Phil Davis by unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28), advancing to the final in the Light Heavyweight Bracket. He’ll face Antonio Carlos Jr. for the 2025 PFL World Tournament Light Heavyweight Title.