This week the UFC announced that Chael Sonnen would be withdrawing from his UFC 155 bout against Forrest Griffin to take part in the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.
This left Forrest Griffin without an opponent at the UFC’s end-of-year card.
Some believed that Stephan Bonnar would be stepping up and the two would try and recreate the magic they had in 2005. Today, the UFC confirmed that it would not be Bonnar who drew Griffin.
No, they announced on twitter that Phil Davis would be stepping up to face the former UFC champion.
Forrest Griffin vs. Phil Mr. Wonderful Davis. December 29th. MGM Garden Arena. Write it down. on.ufc.com/TyaakT
— UFC (@ufc) October 19, 2012
As far as matchups go, Joe Silva hit a home run with this one.
Griffin is on the tail end of his career and likely won’t be making another run at the top of the division. However, he still has that name value and drawing power that he can help Phil Davis’ career.
The matchup will test Davis to see if he’s ready to truly compete with some of the best in the division. He faltered on his first opportunity when he faced Rashad Evans earlier this year.
It was hopefully a learning experience for Davis.
Griffin will push Davis in all the right ways and force the young fighter to work through an active guard and never-ending gas tank. It’s the kind of fight that Davis needs at this point in his career.
Definitely another case of great matchmaking from Joe Silva.
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