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29 December 1993(Compton, Los Angeles County, California, USA)
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The details
Biography

Introduction

Joel Malcolm Davis is an American professional mixed martial artist and former folkstyle wrestler. He is currently competing in the welterweight division of Bellator MMA. As a collegiate wrestler, he was a four-time undefeated NCAA Division II champion.Across all three NCAA divisions only Cael Sanderson of Division I - Iowa State University (159-0), Joey Davis of Division II - Notre Dame College (133-0), and Marcus LeVesseur of Division III - Augsburg University (155-0) have completed their collegiate careers as undefeated, four-time NCAA champions.

Wrestling career

High school

Davis attended Santa Fe High School in California, school in which he was a 2-sports athlete, playing football and competing in wrestling, both in the varsity team.

As a wrestler, he got to the finals of the state tournament in his sophomore year and later won the National and CIF titles in his junior and senior years.

College career

After graduating, he enrolled in Notre Dame College.

Davis is the most accomplished NCAA Division II wrestler ever, winning four National Championships without being beaten a single time throughout his career as a collegiate wrestler, being the only DII wrestler and one of the three NCAA wrestlers in history to do it. He graduated with a legendary record of 133 wins and no losses.

Freestyle career

In May 2016, Davis competed at the annual Beat The Streets event, named Salsa in the Square. He faced three-time NCAA Division I Champion and Dan Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer. He lost the match by points, being outscored 9 points to none.

Mixed martial arts career

Davis started competing in mixed martial arts while he was still competing in college, amassing an undefeated record of 5 wins and no losses.

Bellator MMA

Davis signed with Bellator MMA on June of 2016, months after his last wrestling season in college.

2016

Davis made his professional debut at an 175-pound catchweight bout against Keith Cutrone in August 26, at Bellator 160. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

2017

Davis faced Justin Roswell on August 25 at Bellator 182 (a year later his previous bout). He won the fight by technical-knockout in the first round.

2018

Davis faced Ian Butler on January 20 at Bellator 192. He won the fight by knockout 39 seconds into the first round.

Davis faced Craig Plaskett on June 29 at Bellator 201. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

2019

Davis was scheduled to face Jesse Merritton on March 29 at Bellator 219. However, Merritton withdrew from the event and was replaced by Marcus Anthony. Davis won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Davis faced Jeff Peterson on October 9 at Bellator 229. He won the fight by knockout in a minute into the first round.

Davis faced Chris Cisneros on December 20 at Bellator 235. He won the fight by technical-knockout in the first round.

Awards and accomplishments

Folkstyle wrestling

  • National Collegiate Athletic Association
    • NCAA Division II 165 lb National Championship(2013)
    • NCAA Division II 174 lb National Championship(2014)
    • NCAA Division II 174 lb National Championship(2015)
    • NCAA Division II 184 lb National Championship(2016)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
7 matches 7 wins 0 losses
By knockout 5 0
By decision 2 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 7–0 Chris Cisneros TKO (punches) Bellator 235 December 20, 2019 1 3:55 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 6–0 Jeffrey Peterson KO (flying knee) Bellator 229 October 9, 2019 1 1:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 5–0 Marcus Anthony KO (punch) Bellator 219 March 29, 2019 1 4:21 Temecula, California, United States
Win 4–0 Craig Plaskett Decision (unanimous) Bellator 201 June 29, 2018 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 3–0 Ian Butler KO (spinning back kick) Bellator 192 January 20, 2018 1 0:39 Inglewood, California, United States
Win 2–0 Justin Roswell TKO (elbows) Bellator 182 August 25, 2017 1 1:35 Verona, New York, United States
Win 1–0 Keith Cutrone Decision (unanimous) Bellator 160 August 26, 2016 3 5:00 Anaheim, California, United States

NCAA Record

NCAA Division II Championships Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event
2016 NCAA (DII) Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 184 lbs
Win 16-0 Travis Mckillop 3-1 March 12, 2016 2016 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win 15-0 Jacob Waste 3-2
Win 14-0 Nick Burghardt 8-2
Win 13-0 Brandon Supernaw Major 13-5
2015 NCAA (DII) Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 12-0 Zeb Wahle 4-2 March 14, 2015 2015 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win 11-0 John Blankenship 7-4
Win 10-0 Terrence Zaleski 4-2
Win 9-0 Caleb Copeland Major 14-5
2014 NCAA (DII) Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 174 lbs
Win 8-0 Adam Walters 4-1 March 15, 2014 2014 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win 7-0 Patrick Martinez 5-2
Win 6-0 Trevor Grant Fall
Win 5-0 Conner Monk Fall
2013 NCAA (DII) Championships 1st place, gold medalist(s) at 165 lbs
Win 4-0 Chase Nelson 7-5 March 16, 2013 2013 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships
Win 3-0 Isaiah Jimenez Major 11-2
Win 2-0 Justin Samora Major 18-4
Win 1-0 Wade Gobin 11-7