Here’s the deal. MMA is handing the lightweights in the sport the short end of the stick. Case in Point; some of the most exciting bouts in the sport take place in the weight-class. I mean come on, what is going on here? In just the UFC alone they’ve got Edwards, Hominick, Thompson, Franca, Stout and many more. Now, I ask you; of any of the bouts that the above-mentioned fighter’s participated in, did you ever see a fight that ever failed to hold your attention?

Here’s the deal. MMA is handing the lightweights in the sport the short end of the stick. Case in Point; some of the most exciting bouts in the sport take place in the weight-class. I mean come on, what is going on here? In just the UFC alone they’ve got Edwards, Hominick, Thompson, Franca, Stout and many more. Now, I ask you; of any of the bouts that the above-mentioned fighter’s participated in, did you ever see a fight that ever failed to hold your attention? …….. No way, no how, no where. You know the combat sports world has this propensity to hold onto the way of thinking that bigger is better. Bullshit! That’s what I say.

What you have is a population of light-weight fighters that are literally struggling to make it in this game being ranked the top five in the world Except for perhaps Genki Sudo. The reasons are clear; he’s a national celebrity in his homeland.  Enter Dennis “The Piranha” Davis, a Team Qwest product. One of the original Team Quest fighters. Yet, the only one that has not been catapulted to a level of celebrity. I  tell you this; it’s not for lack of game.

The first time I ever saw Dennis fight was at the first Sportfight in Gresham. It was in a roadside bar called “Dukes”. It was not the Sportfight in terms of production that it is today.  Dennis was to fight some corn-fed wrestler from Nebraska the reminded me of Sherk. Dennis takes on the image a bit of a juggernaut himself.

It was a battle with Dennis throwing strikes, and the opponent securing a front choke on Dennis. I tell you it was deep. He fought his way out of it and went on to win the fight. He would not be able to fight for almost a year because he broke his hand. Dennis will let you know that he will not be choked out, he will not tap. True to his word, he has never tapped. Submitted, one time. I have seen a number of “The Piranha’s” fights and they are always something to see if only for 30 seconds.

Dennis has fought internationally and all over the U.S. Still though, his team mates Chris Leban, Josh Burkman, Ed Herman, Nate Quarry and Matt Horwich have enjoyed what could be termed as success.  I asked Dennis.

MMA Ring Report: Why haven’t you enjoyed the success of your team mates?

Dennis Davis: ’Cause I’m too damn small man.

MMARR:  You think the lightweights are getting a raw deal in the big show?

DD:            I know I am. Just because of my size. I have been told, “If you were 4 inches
                   taller, we could use you. I mean really, what does that have to do with
                   anything?

MMARR:  Does it rub you wrong that every one of your team mates have moved on to
                  enjoy a certain level of success and fame?

DD:            I am happy for them and am glad that it has been good to them to this point.
                   They deserve it each and every one of them. They have worked hard for it
                   and have overcome a number of challenges in their lives. That’s not to say
                    I have worked any less or haven’t had my own challenges. I just want a shot 
                   at the best of my weight-class or what is to be recognized as the best.

MMARR:    Do you mean that what or who is known as the best is not accurate?

DD:              Not at all, I think I’m better. I mean I’ve lost a few fights, but who doesn’t?
                     Seriously, I’m not saying that I can’t be beat and not without fault, because I
                     am still learning I just want a chance to prove to the world that I can hang
                     with athletes of any caliber.

MMARR:    Why, do you think you have not had the opportunity?

DD:               I think its lack of personal promotion and at times lack of focus on my
                      part. A little over a year ago I relocated to Las Vegas to open a gym with
                      Ricco Rodriguez. It was a good plan with all the best intentions, but the
                      lifestyle down there down there sort of took a hold on me. I did a lot of
                      partying and Ricco got involved with other opportunities that took him
                      elsewhere. It wasn’t conducive for me in what I wanted to do.

MMARR:      That has changed now?

DD:                Yes, it has 180 degrees. I am now managed by Denaro and Robert Roveta
                        is seeking opportunity for me. He’s talking to Pride, he’s got a good
                        relationship with Zuffa. I’m fighting in the AFC this weekend in Colorado
                        so things are taking shape. I’m training with Josh Burkamn in Salt Lake
                        City, with about 30 other guys. It’s a good environment. I just train. There
                         is not much else to do there.

MMARR:        How is your stand-up?

DD:                  I started to really work on it when I was in Vegas, with Kit Cope.

MMARR:        How did that go?

DD:                 (Laughs) that guy is amazing. I mean hell; I learned a volume of things
                         from Kit, but safe to say I will never be that devastating on my feet. I
                         spar with him and he just completely made me feel like a child. Talk
                         about out-classed.

MMARR:        You must have felt some redemption when you guys grappled right?

DD:                 Yes, it was a trade off. He helped me with my stand-up and I worked with
                        him on his ground game. It was a good thing all the way around. Being
                        here with Josh is very familiar. It’s a comfort. I feel like I’m really
                        growing as an athlete and a person.

MMARR:        So would you fight anybody in the light-weight division?

DD:                  Hell yes, I would. I mean I’m a pretty nice guy. I don’t talk a lot of
                        smack. I mean going up to a guy like Edwards and saying, “Mr. Edwards,
                        I sure would like to fight you.” Just isn’t going to get it done. The Nick
                        Diaz approach isn’t me at all either. I just need them to know that I believe
                        that I can fight at that level and come out of it with my hand in the air.
                        Nobody at that level will fight me though.

MMARR:       Why is that?

DD:                 What’s the most dangerous type of person in the world?

MMARR:        Tell me, Dennis

DD:                  A person that has nothing to lose. That is me. I have not a thing to lose
                         those guys do. So you gotta question the pure warrior spirit in them.
                         Chuck Liddell had everything to lose when he fought Babalu. He did it
                         anyway, he’s a warrior.

MMARR:         I guess you find comfort in knowing that on a certain level, those guys
                         are afraid of you.

DD:                   They fear what they will lose. Not necessarily me but, any fighter in my
                          circumstances. I respect their ability and skills. I question their spirit and   
                          heart. Gladiators aren’t we??? Let’s do it then.

MMARR:         Well hell Dennis, there you have it. Sounds like a challenge to any of
                          that will step up.

DD:                    Ya, what’s the TAPOUT crew motto? “Step up bitch?” Well, that’s me
                           right here and right now. I am hungry and I have laid in the shadow for
                           too long. I am ready to eat these guys up and spit them out. I am due, the
                           light-weight world title is mine no matter what organization it is in. I’ve
                           persevered this long through the odds and now I feel like it’s really
                           going to get better and my best is yet to come.

MMARR:          I think you got your point across Dennis.

DD:                    Hope so because I think there is some truth to the saying that “nice guys
                           finish last.” No more Mr. Nice guy (he says laughing) 

MMARR:          What about Randy, he’s a real nice guy.

DD:                    Yes, he is. He always demanded that of us. To check our attitudes in at
                           door. He believed in being an example to the sport and required that of
                           us. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if Randy Couture had not been
                           a part of it and still very much is.

MMARR:          Thanks Dennis and I hope the best in your endeavors

DD:                    Anytime Brett, take it easy.

Dennis Davis is one of the most gracious young men any of us would ever have the pleasure of meeting. He is a guy that always seems to be smiling even when he has things weighing heavily on his mind. He’s just a guy you want to be around. Perhaps that is a detriment to his current struggle in his effort to be taken seriously as a world class contender. Me I don’t think so. All in all, it separates the true warriors from the posers afraid of losing. That’s a bit of an irony isn’t it? Think about it.

Brett Atchley
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