[NEF Press Release]
Lewiston, Maine (May 9, 2013) –Marcus Davis (21-9), in a fighting career that spans beyond two decades, has become a name familiar to followers of combat sports worldwide. Known from Bangor to his adopted spiritual home of Waterford, Ireland and points everywhere in between and beyond, and with titles in boxing and achievements and belts in gladiatorial sports too numerous to list, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran is a true mixed martial arts (MMA) legend and a fighting hero in Maine. Indeed, Davis has had many personal moments atop the MMA mountain. However, Davis’ proudest moment might yet await him when his famed Team Irish—a bastion of MMA talent that extends from schools in the Southern part of the state to Bangor—takes over New England Fights’ seventh event. At the time of this writing, 16 of Davis’ prized students are set to step into the cage and represent Team Irish on Saturday, May 18th, 2013 at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee in Lewiston, Maine.
“I’m really excited to be able to be part of a show that is showcasing my team and feel very confident in all of the matchups that we are all facing,” stated Davis when reached for comment. “It will be a great show and turnout of Maine MMA supporters.”
“Marcus Davis is one of the most disciplined and serious competitors I have ever met,” stated NEF co-owner and matchmaker Matt Peterson. “He has devoted his life’s work to studying and competing in numerous forms of fighting. It takes a special type of individual to spend as many decades as Marcus Davis has competing in the upper echelon of combat sports. His focus is strict and unrelenting, but it would have to be in order to ascend to the level of proficiency that he has reached in so many diverse disciplines. There are boxers, there are martial artists, and there are fighters and—make no mistake about it—Marcus Davis is a fighter.”
“Marcus has a record that speaks for itself,” stated NEF co-owner and promoter Nick DiSalvo. “His fight library plays like a highlight reel of knockouts and submissions—it’s simply incredible. We’ve seen what he can do in the boxing ring and MMA cage – and on May 18th we get to witness what he’s capable of as a coach. The Team Irish Exposition of 2013 is not to be missed!”
During his tenure as a coach, Marcus Davis has been responsible for launching the careers of such familiar names as UFC veteran Dale Hartt (5-3), World Series of Fighting veteran Travis Bartlett (8-3), and undefeated Bellator fighter Jon Lemke (2-0). On May 18th, fans will get a glimpse of the future of the school when such notables as UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-5) and top-ranked amateur welterweight prospects Andrew Tripp (4-0) and Andrew Hughes (4-1) fly the Team Irish banner.
“What’s special about the current individuals that make up Team Irish is their focus, desire, hard work and dedication to their training, diets and teammates,” Davis stated. “We have a unique group. Very different styles of fighting, but they all share a common goal of achieving greatness in the sport of MMA. You will see each one fight with their heart and no one will roll over for any opponent. We will make a statement that we are – without any doubt – the best MMA gym in this entire state.”
In his professional boxing and MMA contests, and as a coach, Davis has been credited for being a cerebral fighter—a “fight scientist,” some have said—as much as he has been praised for the physicality of his style that has left a collective wake of almost 40 defeated opponents across 20 years of active competition.
“I don’t make boxers, muay thai fighters, wrestlers or Brazilian jujitsu fighters,” Davis explained. “I make MMA fighters that express themselves through their MMA abilities in their own unique way. I believe in concepts more than specific technique. Technique is very important, but if everyone does everything the same way we are repeating the mistakes of more traditional styles of martial arts. Uncover, discover – that’s what I try to do. Uncover natural ability. Discover their strengths and weaknesses and then try to add techniques and concepts and improve on existing technique through body mechanics.”
As May 18th draws closer and with it what might potentially be Davis’ celebrated final fight in his home state, he remains centered on his students; the next-generation stepping up to carry the Team Irish torch.
“It's an awesome thing to see someone trust in your teachings and believe in you and what you share enough to use it in a chaos situation like an MMA fight,” Davis said in closing. “I always love to watch and live through my students. I can control my thoughts and my actions, but I have no control over them so to see them rise to the occasion is an emotional roller coaster… NEF VII is the first show of its kind to feature a coach who is a 15-time UFC vet with 16 of his students and teammates on a card together. Now that I have signed with Bellator, it may be the last time that people ever have a chance to see it…”
At the time of this writing, the fight card for May 18 in Lewiston consisted of more than thirty fights. The main event will feature Marcus Davis (21-9) taking on Darrius Heyliger (4-1) in a welterweight showdown. The co-main event will see UFC veteran Henry Martinez (9-5) squaring off with Dez Green (8-1) for the Maine State Lightweight Title. In another title fight, Travis Bartlett (8-3) meets former NFL player Tyler King (6-1) for the Maine State Heavyweight Championship. Tickets start at just $25 and are on sale now at www.TheColisee.com or by calling The Colisee box office at 207.783.2009 x 525. For more information on the event, visit www.NewEnglandFights.com. You can watch NEF videos at www.youtube.com/NEFMMA, follow them on Twitter @nefights and join the official Facebook group “New England Fights.”