‘Dangerous’ Davey Grant might be the most violent ‘nice guy’ in all of MMA, and he makes his return this weekend against Raphael Assunção.
If you were to listen to a Davey Grant interview with no clue of what he did for a living, you’d struggle to guess. With a cheerful and calm demeanour Grant exudes genuine charm and loves discussing his restaurant business in Durham, called Cavello’s. What he actually does is perpetuates violence in one of the UFC’s most dangerous divisions.
In a bantamweight division full of metaphorical killers, Davey Grant is a name that flies under the radar. Potentially due to his persona outside the octagon. However, once the cage door closes Grant comes to life and lets the violence commence.
Before his time in the UFC Grant had amassed an impressive 9-1 record. Even more impressive was the fact all nine victories came via stoppage. With eight submissions and a lone TKO. Grant had taken the UK regional scene by storm.
Making it into the UFC through TUF 18 where he got to the final. An indifferent start to his UFC career saw him go 2-3 in his first five, losing three bouts via submission. His following five fights have all been highlight reel worthy and prove Davey Grant is a violent ‘nice guy’.
UFC 251 – Martin Day
At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Grant would compete on the UFC 251 Yas Island card against Martin Day. Fighting in the opening prelim, the fight wasn’t one the UFC gave much shine to. Coming into the bout Grant’s record sat at 9-4 and his opponent Day would have an 8-3 professional record.
After a bright start for Grant in the first, he would find himself on the canvas late in the round. This would only light a fire under him, as in the second he would pour on the pressure and hurt Day multiple times. It was midway through the third that Grant found the fight-ending blow.
At the midway point of round three, both men are landing and looking to call an end to their night. For Grant it’s a beautiful lead left hook that drops Day to the canvas, securing Davey the walk-off KO. This knockout earned Grant the performance of the night.
UFC Fight Night: Edwards Vs Muhammad – Jonathan Martinez
After an eight-month layoff to heal a broken jaw suffered in the Day fight. Grant would return against the 13-3 Jonathan Martinez who came into the fight on a two-fight winning streak. After impressing in his last outing, Davey was given the opportunity to compete on the main card.
A competitive first that was all on the feet saw Martinez earn the round with a late knockdown with less than a minute remaining. Once again though this knockdown only seems to spur Grant on. As it was round two that saw Grant earn the stoppage this time round.
Closing in on the final minute Grant was ahead on the striking numbers. Looking slick and landing well, a right hook to the body followed by his now signature looping left hook to the head, dropped Martinez. Landing a couple of extra shots to seal the victory. Back-to-back KO’s and performance of the night bonuses.
UFC Fight Night: Korean Zombie vs. Ige – Marlon Vera 2
After two highlight reel finishes and on a three-fight winning run. Grant was given a huge step up in competition to take on the #15 Marlon Vera. This fight was a rematch that Grant previously won via unanimous decision five years previous.
A lot of improvements made by both men since the first outing were clear from the opening bell. In a back-and-forth fight, it was Vera who would get the better of the action and score the victory. Not ideal for Grant, this fight proved his toughness and ability to hang with the best in the world despite the result.
Losing the fight via unanimous decision (29–27, 29–28, 30–26). It was an amazing fight that saw each man give and take their all. Once again this fight earned Davey a bonus, earning fight of the night honours. Vera now sits as the #4 bantamweight in the world, ageing this performance extremely well.
UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate – Adrian Yanez
Shining bright even in defeat, Grant was once again granted a key fight against a tough opponent in the form of Adrian Yanez. Yanez came into the bout on a seven-fight winning streak, with all three of his UFC victories coming via KO/TKO.
In another striking showcase Grant once again had to show his toughness. Keeping up with Yanez for three rounds Davey proved he was technical as well as powerful. However, on the night it was Yanez who did more and got the win.
Adrian Yanez won the bout by split decision (27–30, 29–28, 29–28). Once again not the best outcome for Grant. It was another showing of his abilities against one of the best as Yanez now sits #12 in the rankings. For the fourth time in a row, Grant received a 50k bonus.
UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić – Louis Smolka
After being on the end of two losing decisions in the fight of the night. Grant was set to face UFC veteran Louis Smolka. Smolka was 16 fights deep in his two-stink UFC career. With 15 stoppages across his 17 career wins.
The first round was all Grant. Landing at will to the head and body, he eventually got Smolka down with a jab with 40 seconds remaining on the clock. Making things interesting and giving the fans their money’s worth Smolka caused Grant some problems in round two. However, it wasn’t long into the third before Davey put the fight beyond doubt.
Brutalising the calf of Smolka with relentless kicks. Smolka fell to the ground and Grant followed. Landing brutal ground strikes he shut the lights off to earn the knockout 49 seconds into the third. Controversially this fight didn’t earn a bonus for either man despite how entertaining it was.
What’s Next?
He returns to action this weekend to take on Brazil’s Raphael Assunção. The fight takes place on the preliminary card and you don’t want to miss it. You now know when Davey Grant fights it will be violent, win, lose or draw.
Is Davey Grant the most violent nice guy in MMA?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
