Looks like UFC light heavyweight title contender Chael Sonnen is rubbing off on his jiu-jitsu coach and fellow 205-pounder Vinny Magalhaes.
In an interview with Bloody Elbow, the highly decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt went off on Top 10 light heavyweight Phil Davis for refusing to fight him after he had a full fight camp under his belt.
I guarantee he’d take the fight for December, where he’d have the advantage. Now that I would have 8 – 10 weeks to train, he doesn’t want to take the fight. He wants to fight me while I’m out of shape so he can have more chances to win. He knows if he gives me a full camp, it’s not gonna be easy. Style-wise, I’m a horrible fight for him. That makes me real upset, and that’s why I’ve been calling him out on Twitter.
Davis was originally scheduled to meet former divisional champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 155. Once Griffin withdrew due to a knee injury, “Mr. Wonderful” was pulled from the card.
Magalhaes stated that he was not willing to fight Davis on three weeks’ notice, since he is currently training Sonnen for his April title fight with champion Jon Jones. However, he was willing to fight the former four-time All-American wrestler sometime in February and that offer was declined.
When interviewer Steph Daniels suggested that perhaps Davis is only willing to fight consensus Top 10 light heavyweights, Magalhaes had some choice words for Davis’ recent slate of opponents.
What Top 10 opponents was he going to fight? Chad Griggs? Chad Griggs just got tapped out by Cyrille Diabate, and Cyrille sucks on the ground. Griggs was fighting the guys with losing records, and Phil took that fight twice. Not just once, but twice. What Top 10 guys are you talking about? There’s nothing personal against Phil, I just want the fight.
The 28-year-old Brazilian indicated that he was also willing to fight household names in Ryan Bader, who defeated him at the Season 8 finale of The Ultimate Fighter, and Matt Hamill.
He did not receive those opponents either and expressed how badly he wants to be recognized as one of the best in the world.
There are guys that have been fighting for the UFC for years, but they’re not moving up. James Te-Huna is coming off wins, but nobody knows who he is. If I were to fight Ryan Jimmo, it would probably be on Myspace, not even Facebook. Nobody wants to see Jimmo fighting.
Magalhaes had an ongoing Twitter campaign going to try to entice Davis into fighting him, and while he deleted most of the postings, a few gems still remain.
“I don’t blame @PhilMrWonderful for not fighting me, he needs to fight legit competition, just like his last opponent, who’s been fighting for 3 yrs, has a padded record against guys that their record combined is 22-26, and mainly can’t grapple to save his life. @ufc@DanaWhite“
Davis’ last victory was at UFC 153 in October over Wagner Prado, a Brazilian prospect who, although undefeated on the Brazilian regional scene, was easily submitted in the second round.
On the other hand, Magalhaes has won six in a row, including his most recent victory over Igor Pokrajac with a picture-perfect armbar at UFC 152 in September.
Is Magalhaes vs. Davis a fight the fans want to see or simply wishful thinking on the part of the Brazilian submission specialist?
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com