Debuting Bellator Welterweight Joey Davis Says He’s A Walking Legend

In an interview with Champions (via MMA Junkie), debuting Bellator welterweight Joey Davis spoke about how his amateur accomplishments will help him in the sport. He has an amateur MMA record of 5-0 and a wrestling record of 133-0. He’s also a four-time NCAA Division II national champion. He will fight Keith Cutrone (1-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) at Bellator 160 this Friday. Here are highlights:

On his past accomplishments: “I’m a walking legend I’m 133-0 in wrestling. I accomplished a lot in that sport, but there was no money in it. I’m here to make a little money for my talent. I’m happy with my accomplishments in wrestling, but I’m here to show what I can do in MMA. It feels awesome. I’m truly blessed to be in the situation I am. I always wanted to showcase my talent to the world, you know. People say that Division 2 is not better than D-1, but I believe all competition is the same. I believe Bellator gave me the opportunity to showcase my talent to the world.”

On the training for his professional debut: “It’s been tough. Just making sure I’m not making mistakes when I’m tired. That I’m not getting guillotined like I did today. Same little mistakes I’m trying to capitalize on while I have the chance to. I’d rather make the mistakes in practice than in the fight. So I’m working and working and working to not make those mistakes as all the other wrestlers did. So, it has been a blessing, (McKee) been working my ass and I love it, it’s something new.”

On training with Kevin Ferguson Jr: “It’s been awesome. Especially with Slice’s loss, I’m just trying to be the brother that he needs and I know if I lost my father I’d be in a whole another world right now. And A.J, I’m learning and learning from him every day. He’s very talented, but at the same time, he’s very technical. He knows what the (expletive) he’s doing, excuse my language. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can from him and walk in his shoes like he did with me in wrestling.”