Bellator 163: “McGeary vs. Davis” comes to Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Nov. 4, 2016., featuring a main event between Light Heavyweight champion Liam McGeary — who has not competed in more than one year — against No. 1-ranked contender “Mr. Wonderful” Phil Davis.
Obviously, such a long layoff raises many questions, although McGeary certainly looked impressive when he submitted Tito Ortiz in Sept. 2015. Davis has been the more active fighter, though, earning his title shot that same night and then following it up with a victory over “King Mo” this summer.
Can Davis pick up his fourth straight win — and a world title — or is McGeary past his injuries and ready to dominate again as the undefeated champion? The best way to answer those questions is to speak to both the champion and the challenger. Bellator MMA arranged a press conference with both fighters yesterday to get thoughts from both men, as well as Bellator President, Scott Coker.
McGeary was the first to talk about how frustrated he was to be sidelined and unable to compete.
“My injury was ANNOYING. It’s kept me away from this sport for a long time — almost a year now. Now, I’m looking forward to getting back into it. It was my knee — I just had to get a lot of it fixed up, repairs, there was a lot of damage done inside. (I) just had to get it fixed up — I couldn’t really stand on it too well.”
Davis talked about Bellator’s new “Vote for Phil Davis” campaign and entertaining himself before the fight.
“We’re promoting this fight and we’re also having a little fun with this crazy election that we have going on, and the fact that this fight’s going to be equally as crazy, but equally as one sided. It’s just comedy all the way around. You’ve got one character, and then you’ve got one cool guy. Kudos to Bellator for recognizing that there could be so much comedy in the world out there.”
Davis also talked about this opportunity coming full circle for him after losing a title shot four years ago while under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner.
“Yeah, you know what? This reminds me of that moment. I like the feeling of knowing that I’m in the semis or that I’m in the finals. The pressure’s on. That moment of ‘do or die’ — I love that moment, I thrive in that moment. I’m so glad to be back in that moment of do or die, all or nothing. That’s where I shine, that’s where I do my best work.”
McGeary said that even though he and Davis have had a few laughs in the past, nothing will be funny once the fighters are locked inside a cage together
“All the fun games are over now. I’ve had three to four months of getting ready for him, and the torture I’ve put myself through in this gym, I’m getting ready to take it out on him. He can make all the jokes and try to turn it into a laugh, but at the end of the day we’re able to fight him and this is going to be a tough fight. I’m going in there and I’m going in there to hurt him.”
Unsurprisingly, “Mr. Wonderful” didn’t agree with that assessment.
“The fun and games are NOT over — the fun and games have just begun. You’ve been training for four months (but) I’ve had over a full year I’ve put into wearing yo’ butt out and dragging your face across the mat.”
The tension continued to escalate over the course of the call, with each fighter getting a little more indignant and a little more combative with each verbal jab that was thrown. McGeary was clearly weary of Davis’ antics by the end.
“I’ve done all the talking I need to do. I’m watching all these silly little videos that he puts up thinking ‘How’s he got time to do these videos?’ He should be in the gym training. I’ve done all the talking I need to do. We had a laugh and a joke back when he was fighting, but now it’s time to get serious. Now it’s time to get on this. I’ve got a belt to defend and I will be defending it. I’m not gonna let that squeaky voiced weirdo take it off me.”
That potshot didn’t sit very well and quickly spilled over into trash talking on both sides — starting with Davis.
“Was that directed toward me? Squeaky voice? Unbelievable. I used to like Liam, but you know what, out of all the guys I’ve fought I’m gonna like punching him in the face the least. Business is business and I’m going to have to come at this man like a spider monkey. He’s right, he will defend that belt, but he will be unsuccessful.”
McGeary quickly proved he wasn’t done talking after all.
“Definitely, this is just business, and my business is to break your nose. You’ve been spending three years just working on your hands have ya? You’ve learned how to throw a nice one-two? I don’t make promises mate. Have you not seen my record? It’s 11-0 for a reason. If I say I’m gonna knock ’em out, I knock ’em out, if I say I’m gonna submit ’em, I submit ’em. You — I just wanna beat your fucking face in.”
And “Mr. Wonderful” couldn’t resist taunting McGeary one more time.
“Are you sure? That’s what you’re gonna do? You haven’t had a fight for a year and you think you can just jump off the bench, FRESH. Wrong, wrong! The world don’t work like that. Listen — I’ve been beating people up while I’ve been waiting to beat up you, okay? Your picture is on a bag in my gym and I just beat the picture off the bag for the second time.”
Punching bags don’t hit back, though, Phil. Tune in Nov. 4 on Spike TV to see who lives up to all of the trash talk. Complete audio of the conference call is below and complete Bellator MMA coverage can be found right here on fight night.