Mixed martial artist Mike Davis expressed frustration following his bout at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Teixeira on July 12, 2025, held in Nashville. Despite securing a second-round TKO victory against Mitch Ramirez and marking his 12th MMA win, Davis felt slighted by his fight being relegated to the preliminary card, shadowing his recent main-card appearances. This sense of disrespect comes amid his efforts to climb the lightweight rankings and broaden his influence in the sport.
Davis criticized UFC president Dana White for positioning his match as only the second fight on the preliminary roster, a significant drop from the exposure of his last three or four main-card fights. Speaking with Mike Perry on the Overdogs Podcast, Davis stated,
“I felt so disrespected. I was p—– at the UFC for putting me as the second fight on this card in the middle of nowhere after I’ve been on the main card for my last three or four fights,”
and added,
“I felt like I had to go out there and show that I am finishing… I want to fight people. I want to knock people out and take my spot.”
His disappointment is grounded in the context of his recent career trajectory. Prior to the Nashville event, Davis participated in three main-card fights, including a submission victory over Natan Levy in March 2024 and a close decision loss to Farès Ziam in Riyadh. His 2022 triumph against Viacheslav Borshchev further elevated his profile. Nevertheless, these successes did not translate into the preferred placement on fight cards, prompting Davis to reassess his position within the UFC.
Mike Davis Expands His Horizons Beyond Fighting
Outside the cage, Davis has developed interests that extend into digital media and technology. Known not only as a fighter but also as a content creator and brand collaborator, he has engaged with prominent companies such as Meta, producing content for campaigns promoting VR products and collaborating with camera manufacturer Sigma. His crossover into the tech world includes a notable professional and social relationship with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.
The pair’s connection dates back to 2022, when Zuckerberg attended UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan and observed Davis’s victory, sparking post-fight discussions and ongoing interactions through social media and texts. Davis has expressed admiration for Zuckerberg’s dedication to MMA, jiu-jitsu, and artificial intelligence research, indicating a desire to involve him more deeply in his future plans.
On the Overdogs Podcast, Davis remarked,
“He’s a good guy. I want him to get back into this stuff.”
He further shared his hopes for collaborative training sessions, saying,
“I feel like he’s focused right now on his AI journey, which is cool because I love the AI stuff. I hope he gets back into it because I want to train. I want to go and train with Volkanovski and Adesanya. I want him to join us.”
Plans to Train Alongside Top Fighters and Tech Innovators
Looking ahead, Mike Davis envisions blending his MMA career with his expanding interests in technology and content creation. His ambitions include training with elite fighters like Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski, both highly regarded in the UFC world. This aspiration places his focus on more than just winning fights; it reflects a strategy to cultivate a multifaceted presence that merges athletic achievement with digital innovation.
Davis’s intention to integrate Mark Zuckerberg into his training regimen symbolizes this convergence of sports and technology. By involving a leading figure from the tech industry alongside top UFC talent, Davis aims to create a unique environment that supports growth in both his fighting skills and professional network.
This multifaceted approach equips Davis to navigate the challenges posed by his recent dissatisfaction with UFC matchmaking, positioning him to enhance his profile both inside the Octagon and beyond.
Implications for Mike Davis’s Career and the UFC Landscape
Mike Davis’s dissatisfaction with the UFC’s fight card decisions highlights ongoing tensions fighters face regarding recognition and career advancement within the promotion. His public remarks underscore the importance athletes place on strategic placement and visibility, which directly affect their marketability and trajectory in the sport.
By actively pursuing collaborations with prominent figures in technology and media, Davis is setting a precedent for fighters seeking to diversify their careers and build a brand that transcends competition results alone. His desire to train alongside Israel Adesanya, a top middleweight champion, not only underscores his commitment to elevate his skill but also signals potential future alliances that could influence the lightweight division dynamics.
As Davis continues to balance ambitions in fighting, content creation, and tech collaboration, his story may inspire other athletes to adopt similar paths. Monitoring how his relationship with ADESANYA and Volkanovski develops, alongside his engagements with Zuckerberg, will shed light on evolving cross-industry partnerships shaping athletes’ futures.