Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Davis
Hi Mike, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I was always the youngest and smallest kid around. My mind raced ahead, but my body lagged behind. I excelled in my studies, but life hit me hard when my dad was murdered. As I grew older, the reality of his absence weighed on me, leading to anxiety and awkward habits. I’d growl at people, tap my fingertips together, and sit alone, biting my lips until they bled.
The biting was the worst. I chewed everything—people, pencils, chairs, plastic spoons, the strings on my clothes, and my clothes themselves. My shirt collars were always stretched out from my chewing, and I had to wear those same chewed-up shirts to school. The teasing was relentless. I’d skip classes and cry in the employee bathroom, the only one with a lock. To escape my emotional pain, I’d shoot toothpicks into my leg with a rubber band.
I felt isolated, even from my mother, who worked three jobs to keep us going. Fear consumed me, and I felt like my soul was dying. The bullying was constant. Kids mocked me for cracking my neck and chewing on my collars.
By high school, things started to change. I got new clothes and managed to chew on my clothes less. I found a small group of friends, but I was still small—just 5 feet tall in 9th grade. The older kids tormented me, locking me in lockers , pushing me around in the hallways and taking my food that I already struggled to afford. It went on through 9th and 10th grade until I reached a breaking point. I considered running away or ending it all…
…A lunchtime conversation changed everything. One of my friends mentioned a boxing gym about 10 miles from my house. I rode my bike there and explained my situation to the coach. Kevin Rooney, Mike Tyson’s coach, took me in for free and taught me to box. I wasn’t interested in fighting, just learning. I never even sparred my entire time at the famous gym. I trained every day over the summer, and I did Shaun T’s “instanity” workout at midnight every single day and by September, I had transformed. I grew to 5’8” and 162 pounds. Back to school and now my small group of friends are all lifting and training too! The bullying stopped. I felt great and happy for the first time in my life.
This feeling kept me training. I went to boxing after school and also joined the wrestling team where I did phenomenal. I was 160 pounds of solid muscle and felt invincible. My mom saw my joy and told me about her coworker who did “MMA”. She explained it to me as being boxing and wrestling at the same time. Intrigued, I joined them twice a week. The training was basic as we’d watch youtube training videos and practice them in a makeshift gym. The ring was made of four poles stuck in the ground with rope tied around them and the canvas was just flatted out cardboard boxes. but I loved it. It gave me a sense of belonging.
At 16 my coaches wanted me to fight for a N.Y. title belt before I graduated. I trained hard, even turning down offers to party with friends who later ended up in serious trouble. The night they partied and got arrested for armed robbery, I was training. That decision saved my life.
Fight time came, and I was nervous. It was the hardest fight of my life, ending in a split decision. Initially, they announced the other guy as the winner, but then they corrected the mistake—Mike Davis had won! My heart soared as they raised my hand. I went back to school for my final months leading to graudation wearing the championship belt. I was so proud and everyone, even the bullies, were proud too.
MMA saved my life. It gave me respect and a purpose. I continued to train and improve because it was fun and fulfilling. Despite the fear and the brutal nature of the sport, winning felt incredible. There is no other feeling in the world and only 1% of the planet will ever experience it. Now, at 31, I’m 11-2 as a professional, on a 4 fight win streak in the biggest MMA promotion on the planet—the UFC.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
there have been so many struggles.
The biggest problem I developed was this Rare canerous disease called Agressive Systemic Mastocytosis(ASM)
it affects the bone marrow, skeletal system, liver, spleen, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal tract and other organs by producing neoplastic cells that multiple too fast and dont die as they should. This causes complications and malfunction of my organs and is EXCRUCIATINGLY painful.
To make things worse, as a kid spent a majority of my time alone in the woods, roaming, climbing, riding my bike through the trails. I’ve even stayed in the woods over nights. Unfortunately, this lead to contracting lymes disease. 4 different cases of it actually. So sometimes my joints cannot handle the amount of stress im putting on my body and I get injured often.
Both of these problems contribute to my inactive even still to this day.
Lesser problems were:
Not being able to afford training. I had to make deals to clean and pay for the training sessions.
My one relationship I thought was the end all….ended. Honestly if it wasn’t for this happening, maybe I would have been something else. But, having this happen lead me to leave my home state and pursue MMA deeper. I left NY to join Team Nogueira in Orlando FL.
At one point in my career I have gotten so skilled that i was avoided by everyone in the country for mma. Forcing me to fight as a boxer for a long majority of my time. Boxing wasn’t my interest but I wanted to stay active and keep growing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Right now? I am spread across the board.
My number #1 professional and main life is that of a UFC fighter. This is who I am and what I am mostly known for. But I am also a coach/teacher of the sport. I love to teach more advanced students but also kids. It’s very fulling to me and the fact that I get to travel around the world and teach is such a joy.
When im not fighting, I actually enjoy gaming. I started working with some PC companies and have grown as a streamer! So now im a streamer on Kick and I just love to hangout with everyone and chat.
We do watch alongs for UFC events, games with the fans, and just talk about life and how to improve your current life.
The biggest reason I stream is to give everyone a friend. Even if you dont know me, I want to be your friend… I had none for the longest time and being alone is so crippling to growth. If you ever need a friend join my streams on kick.
Further into my life, I make content for brands. It’s called UGC, user generated content and its essentially just making ads for brands while being more relative to the audience. I have soared with these video creations and I am currently working my way to a spot where I could call it a full-time job!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
My life isn’t about luck. I actually believe my family name is cursed and because I didn’t get the family name I’m able to make things happen easier. But luck doesn’t exist, I believe everything is already decieded and you just need to play your role as the universal has planned it out for you. Sometimes going through major changes can certainly change the path.
My professional is all about skill and hardwork. Developing a talent
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Linktr.ee/mikedavismma
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedavismma
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057738654936
- Twitter: https://x.com/mikedavismma
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mikedavismma
