For Alexis Davis, UFC 186 was all about redemption. Firstly, the bantamweight was able to rebound with a victory after losing in 16 seconds to Ronda Rousey, and secondly, she was able to finally get a victory over veteran Sarah Kaufman.
After falling flat the first two times, Davis was able to get her hand raised in her third attempt at besting Kaufman.
“It feels good. You know what they say, third time’s the charm,” Davis said in a UFC 186 post-fight media scrum. “I feel really good after this fight, and i’m excited to get back out there.”
Davis had some trouble in the first round. Kaufman was able to out-strike and do some damage to the Alexis’ face, but in the second, Davis was able to bring Kaufman to the ground, secure dominant positioning and lock on a tap-inducing armbar.
“I need the win for myself. I haven’t had a strong finish in a while,” said Davis. “I think I’m a better fight than I h’ve been showing that I really am.”
The victory over a well-respected fighter like Kaufman helped Davis reassert herself in the weight class.
“I feel like this was definitely a strong win, and it should push me high in the division,” Davis said. “I think they’ll have me fight another top contender. This was a good fight for me. Really, finding my own, especially in the UFC, this is where every woman or every man wants to be. I’m willing to do whatever the UFC feels I’m ready for.”
While Davis is happy to do what the UFC tells her to do, she does take pride in knowing that some of the up-and-coming bantamweights are eyeing her as a potential platform to a title shot.
“I hope there’s a target on my back because if there wasn’t, then I would be one of the top females in the division.”