Phil Davis' weight had always been high leading into bouts -- whether as a wrestler at Penn State or in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Davis' friend and former Penn State teammate Aaron Anspach said the 205-pound light-heavyweight caused concern among the UFC camp when he was 15 pounds overweight only four days before Saturday's competition. But just like he always did, Davis cut the weight and defeated Alexander "The Mauler" Gustafsson by first-round submission Saturday in UFC 112.
"He gets the weight down when he needs to," Anspach said.
Whether it's cutting weight, dominating bouts or jokingly calling out ring girls to fight in post-bout interviews, Davis -- nicknamed "Mr. Wonderful" -- never fails to provide a show in a seemingly effortless fashion.
In his second UFC fight, it took the former Nittany Lion 197-pounder only 4:55 to add to his already spotless mixed martial arts record after defeating Gustafsson.
"I was satisfied," Davis told Ariel Helwani of Fanhouse after the win. "You can't be discontent with the win, but definitely don't like losing positions, allowing stand-ups. That's a big no-no."
Halfway through the first period in the fight, Davis -- donning pink trunks and a pink mouth guard with a heart and the word "mom" written on it -- had the Mauler in the position he wanted.
Davis, a 2008 NCAA Champion for the Penn State wrestling team, found himself using his wrestling abilities as he rode Gustafsson up against the black cage.
Though Gustafsson escaped Davis' grasp only 24 seconds later, Davis -- who couldn't be reached for comment -- had Gustafsson at his mercy again.
Wrapping his arms around Gustafsson while both were crouched with knees and elbows to the ground, Mr. Wonderful rolled toward the cage, brought Gustafsson with him and planted his feet on the black fence. With Davis' arms wrapped around the Mauler's neck in an Anaconda choke, Gustafsson tapped out with five seconds left in the first period.
In his second UFC fight, Davis became 2-0 and 6-0 in all mixed martial arts competition and looked toward improving more.
Perhaps even improving with weight management, though, in Mr. Wonderful's world, even dropping 15 pounds in four days seems effortless.
