Hey, this is Marcus Davis also known as the “Irish Hand Grenade.”
Thanks to MMAmania.com for the opportunity to give everyone a short report on what I’m going through to prepare for Mike Swick at UFC 85: “Bedlam” in London, England, on June 7.
I’m currently in Boston, Mass., training Muay Thai and MMA with coach Mark Dellagrotte of Sityodyong. I have pulled out every connection I have to prepare for this fight. Mark is the man with the plan and is putting me through my routine for my MMA training.
Furthermore, I have reconnected with my original boxing coach, Joe Lake, who is getting me back to some fundamentals. I’m also training with my teammate Kenny Florian and working with Peter Welch from The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 1 and 2.
My strength and conditioning coach has been Garth Krane. He is an MMA fighter and former Canadian Olympic-caliber wrestler. I am the strongest I have ever been in my MMA career with a 375-pound bench and a 415-pound squat.
If people thought I could punch hard before … wait till you see what I am capable of come June 7! To check out pictures of the physical changes I’ve gone through head over to my MySpace.com page right here.
I can’t wait to get back to the UK and put on a show — I really feel at home there. This will be the greatest test in my MMA career and I am with out a doubt in the best shape of my life. Thanks so much to all the fans and supporters who follow my career.
In addition, I want to thank all the sponsors who have made training for this fight the best it can possibly be, specifically Zappos.com and MMAWarehouse.com.
If you are in the market for shoes or electronics head over to Zappos.com — they have pretty much the best selection of shoes in the world and they offer free shipping. And if you’re looking for MMA gear or apparel make sure to check out MMAWarehouse.com because they have the best selection of MMA fight apparel on the Internet without a doubt. All the pro’s shop there and so should you.
That’s a wrap for now … it’s time to head back to the gym. I look forward to giving you another update as soon as possible. Stay tuned.
–Marcus
“A pint of sweat saves a gallon of blood …” — General S. Patton
Marcus Davis is a top welterweight contender in the loaded UFC 170-pound division. The former professional boxer is perhaps the most improved mixed martial artist ever to emerge from the TUF series, compiling a gaudy record inside the Octagon (6-1) since the show wrapped in 2005. He is currently riding an 11-fight win streak, which he will put on the line against Mike Swick at UFC 85: “Bedlam” at the O2 Arena in London, England, on June 7. He’ll detail his preparation for the bout right here at MMAmania.com with frequent updates.
63 Comments »
Cuts to 170 and can press 375. Hes a mini houston alexander. Except this guy might actually be the champ someday. I expect Swick gets KOed, and maybe even gets cut from the organization.
I think if Swick comes prepared to leave it all in the Octagon and puts on a really good show, win or lose, his job is safe. But if he does what he did against Burkman, he is in trouble. If he does get cut, I think it’s his own fault.
that is insane! the rumor is that Houston benches a little over 400lbs and he is a 205er Marcus is a beast! I sit right about 185 and I only bench 225 max right now. These MMA guys put people to shame! Watch out Swick!
375!!! Crazy. He’s a little guy!!! Just for the record Maurice Greene was reputed to have a ridiculous bench for his size. 365lbs I believe, 5″9 or 5″10 180lbs.
Hell Brock Lesnar’s reputed max is 475lb…That’s probably conservative as I doubt some of those other guys in the WWE years ago actually benched more than him.
Marcus is an animal.
I’d believe it when i see it. Sorry but 375lb’s is a hell of a lot.
Not calling him a liar but just sceptical.
After Swick’s last couple of fight, is he still know as Mike Quick Swick? I really like what Davis has done in his last couple of fights. This guy is a brawler with his boxing influence really coming through, but always a great show when he is mixing it up. This one will be tough to call, I think Swick could end it with quick sub while Davis would win a long fight with a decsion only because he is so busy the whole fight. Looking forward to this one.
AWESOME! Marcus Davis is now part of Mania…
Sounds like he’s been working out like the beast that he is. Hopefully after running thru Swick, he’ll be able to start fighting the top of the division - which is where he belongs.
I’m getting tired of hearing that Kos is the most improved fighter to come out of TUF. Sorry, but that honor goes to Marcus. Davis is now a Mixed Martial Artist. Kos is still a wrestler that is scared to take to BJJ guys, so he worked his standup to a ‘decent’ level. Marcus was a boxer and is now WELL ROUNDED.
My only worry is that hooking back up with his old boxing instuctor could have negative effects. Not all of the movement used in boxing should be used in MMA. Muay Thai is much more suitable. Hopefully Joe Lake doesn’t un-do anything that Mark Dellagrotte taught Davis recently.
I agree mike, I think this kid is an exciting fighter. Swick looked awful his last time out, thia could be fight of the night on my birthday!! lol
Muay Thai footwork is more suited for MMA (it’s best to use a hybrid between a MT and wrestling stance), but the best way to train your hands is through boxing. The technique is much tighter. In MT, half the reason for throwing hands is to set up kicks.
i would agree most of the time but in all likelihood, swick will want to stand as well which will be a bad bad mistake for swick. this makes brushing up some boxing not a terrible idea.
swick needs to watch some tape. agree with everyone else; davis is much better than he is currently ranked. this guy would tool burkman, sanchez, kos and i even think he would beat fitch. watch out for davis is 08.
Ya DAMN Right about Marcus being the most improved fighter from TUF 1. I dont know if I just hate on the guy but I have NEVER liked Swick as a fighter. I never thought swick was anything special and then the Burkman fight was just pathetic. I cant see him beating Marcus at all. I dont see where he can win it?
Standing up: Swick tries that “Nick Diaz Taunt” where he sticks his 1 arm straight in the air…once he does that against Marcus, he will get a whole punched through his face!!! Sorry but he will not get the better of the stand up advantage…DAVIS!
Ground: Traditionally Swick is the better submission fighter, but Marcus has evolved! Training on a daily basis with Florian and under Delagrotti makes it hard for me to think that Swick will be able to submit him.
Basically, I dont think Swick can finish Davis in any way, shape, or form. His only hope is a decision…that gives Davis 15 minutes to finish him off, which he is more then capable of doing… I LOVE Davis in tis fight. Hopefully he wont be too much of a favorite so I can lay some nice change on him.
I don’t think it’s a “taunt” at all. I think it’s more of a distraction. Chuck Liddell does something similar, although it’s not as exaggerated. It’s more of a pawing motion from Chuck.
Marcus wins this fight wherever it goes. I think this is going to be a highlight reel KO in round 1.
375 = 3×45 , a dime, & a nickle on each side.
weighing 170? daymn! i feel like a bitch
wrong thats 345,, 375=3×45 and a quarter on each side
you’re still missing nickles on each side
if he’s using a standard 45 pound bar, then that leave 165lb per side so likely 3×45 and 3×10 per side.
I like Swick, but I’ve got to back Davis in this one. Davis has beaten everyone the UFC has put in front of him, and he’s gotten beter every time out. A win here should put Davis into the discussion of serious WW contenders.
Nice of Marcus to suggest we head over to his Myspace page. If not only to find out you cannot see his pics unless he accepts you as a friend because he’s set up as private.
Agree with Eazy…Swick is getting KOed and his pink slip all in one night.
I like both Davis and Swick a great deal, but the big difference that I see between these two guys is the mental game. Davis has all the pieces to be a champion one day, and Swick seems like he occasionally has trouble clearing a mental hurdle. I don’t think he’s been the same since Okami. He needs to find that fire in his belly once again, which Davis clearly has.
BINGO - you hit the nail.
In the past Swick has allowed himself to give up in a fight. Marcus Davis is not the type of individual that would give up on anything.
Excellent Point!
this guys is definately my favourite fighter or all.
watching this guy from day one, he is probably the most improved fighter out there today and this fight is going to back that. he has the heart, speed and definately power. where ever this fight goes, he will be more dominant. plus an irishman never gives up.(ex. davis vs paul taylor)
Ya damn skippy
These 2 are up thur with my favourite fighters but I’m defo gonna lean to Marcus for this fight, Marcus seems as focused as ever and can’t wait to see him live and put on a great show
Seen him twice…Sat across from him having breakfast day after 72. Myself and my friends where thinking, “He is a Fookin’ Beast!!!”
Marcu Davis, has evolved and poor Swick
I have to go with Marcus Davis in this fight. I love to watch this guy, always entertaining. He’s made some mistakes in his past fights and almost paid the price for it. He can’t afford to make those mistakes against Swick or it will be over quickly. I think Swick looks too skinny at 170, it may be too much of a cut for him, at the weigh-ins there’s nothing left of him. Although he still hits like a ton of bricks. Marcus, 2nd round submission.
How would Swick captolize on any small mistake made by Davis? Swick is not know for his submission game (Swickatine - give me a break!), and he is not known for his one punch KO power - rather his speed and accuracy. Swick isn’t the type of fighter that can be losing a fight and all of a sudden in a blink of an eye, win the fight. Ala - Chris Leben (punching), Nick/Nate Diaz (submitting).
Plus, Davis has a great chin. Skeletor will have a hard time huring Marcus.
Out of Swick’s 11 wins, 7 have been by submission, KO or TKO. So I disagree with you about not being known for his KO power or submission game. I’m willing to bet his “Swickatine” isn’t laughable when you’re the one on the receiving end. He has some pretty decent leverage with those long limbs.
All I’m saying is that Marcus better keep his hands up. Remember Paul Taylor almost knocking him out? Marcus has great recovery, but he can be knocked out, great chin or not. I’m rooting for Marcus, but he can’t be sloppy at all, especially when Swick will be really hungry for a win.
His KOs weren’t one-punch KOs, they were the result of flurries or punches in bunches, as he likes to call it. And taking a relatively common hold and naming it after yourself is the height of arrogance.
Well, whether it’s one punch or seven punches, my point is he can knock you out. He can throw a dozen punches in the time most guys can throw 5 or 6. He has very fast hands.
Why is everybody in love with Marcus Davis?
All he’s done is beat a couple of cans in a row, and went from having a flabby body in TUF2 to becoming super-shredded relatively quickly.
Makes you wonder how he’s been able to transform his very soft physique to something better so fast. I think we have a closet HGH user.
And for the few English fans that hit up this site, how does the “Irish Hand Grenade” nickname sit with you. I think that is disrespectful as hell, It would be like some Saudi fighter calling himself the “Saudi Suicide Vest” while fighting over here.
Anyways I hope Swick kicks the shit out of this closest-HGH-using poser.
Prediction: Swick by too many bitch slappins - midway rnd 1
First, it’s not who he’s beaten but how he’s beaten them. All his wins have been decisive. He’s had one decision to a very crafty veteran, the rest were KOs or subs, and he has shown marked improvement every time out. Second, he’s been introduced as The Celtic Warrior in his UK fights to avoid any disrespect. Third, if you have some evidence of the guy using performance enhancing drugs other than achieving the level of fitness that would naturally occur with a 6-day-per-week training schedule then lets hear it. Otherwise keep your unfounded allegations to yourself.
PW: I hear u! There is nothing worse then baseless allegations about an athlete cheating. Especially in today’s sports…to just say that Davis is a closet HGH user is just idiotic! Like PW said, keep that dumb sh*t to yourself!
Ignorance is bliss! I love the way you just put a label on a guy who has never done anything to disrespect you or the sport. You can go from soft to solid without the help of HGH or steroids… It’s called training hard. As for the nickname ….. He is Irish and hits hard, therefore the name is totally suitable. I guess since you are a BUM you can use that in your name without anyone getting offended.
Lets see, Marcus was originall a boxer that hits hard with KO power - almost like having dynomite in his hands (commonly used expression). Since Marcus comes from a Irish background, and has explosive hands (another commonly used expression), then what is wrong with the Irish Hand Grenade? And like Psyqo pointed out, he comes out as the Celtic Warrrior when fighting overseas.
The “Saudi Suicide Vest” would be a perfectly fitting nickname for a fighter from the Middle East that won his fight by Lay N Pray.
LOL!!
Manny “Suicide Vest” Gamburyan?
hahahaha you guys so put him in his place I dont even need to say anything…….. he’s a proper jealous hater
What?
Dude, I was at the Rapid Fire (and yes I’m obviously Irish) event where Marcus beat Liaudin. And at the time nobody seemed no care
Even as I think of it, I can’t see your logic
Why is this in any way disrespectful to the English?
Is thur anything wrong with “The African Assain”?
Or “El Matador”?
I don;t understand why either. I just to stay extra politically correct, especially while in foreign markets.
For Soko’s nickname, it almost sounds like he walks around killing Aficans (obviously its not, it means he comes from Africa)… SOunds worse than the Irish Hand Grenade.
The funny thing is when Marcus was in Belfast the locals were saying why don’t you use the irish handgrenade nickname, it’s cool. Clearly it doesn’t bother anyone.
Still nearly pissed myself when I saw the murals on the walls saying “Entering loyalist territory. Catholics not welcome.” The locals were cool though…even if the place is still a dump lol.
Marcus Davies is THE MAN!!! I watched him on TV beating the crap out of Tan and Liaudin, I saw him live in a terrific fight against Taylor. Now I will see him live KO’ing Swick!!
Question for Marcus or anyone in the know, is there any fighters making an appearance before the June 7th show. If I turn up a few hours early will I catch any fighters for autographs?? Thanks, just reply in the thread lol;
Go to the fighter’s hotel. It’s probably the Hilton in Canary Wharf but I’m not sure. It’s easy enough to get autographs and pics at the events. For the most part the fans have good access to the fighters and they’re pretty down to earth too.
Don’t know what fighters are making appearances. Training partners needless to say.
I don’t like Davis and don’t see the point of his post. All he did was name his trainers. Who cares. I did not like him on TUF2 and was happy when he said he was retiring. Next thing I know he keeps winning and is still around. Swick by guillotine. Maybe after this loss he will cry and say he is retiring again.
davis has improved by leaps and bounds since tuf, but its still gonna be a tough fight for him. if swick comes in better prepaired than against burkman i say this fight is 50/50.
I am REALLY keeping my fingers crossed that the odds to this fight come out even!
you would probbaly love it if they slightly favored swick! i think the odds will probably be even or a slight fav to davis. marcus has been more impressive as of late.
How’d ya tell? LOL. Davis at plus anything would be, well, profitable.
I don’t bet, but I reckon when the odds come out Marcus might be the slight fav.
Marcus Davis is a gatekeeper in my opinion. He is good enough to never be taken lightly, but he’s not championship material. Maybe if he had gotten into the game at a younger age, he could one day be the champion at 170. But I can’t see him beating a St. Pierre or Fitch.
What about Swick? Do you have him above or below that gate being kept by Davis?
I guess we’ll find out shortly.
swick will get ktfo, davis is the man
swick WILL get ktfo. i think he would even beat fitch.
all fitch has is a wrestling game. now dont get offended, i like fitch, but when he fought wilson, he looked sloppy.
i just think davis would win that one. as for marcus vs GSP. definatley GSP unless he somehow pulls out a serra-GSP 1. I would like to see something like davis vs sanchez. or kos
marcus by TKO 1st round
Hell Yes. Marcus Davis posting on MMAMania.com
Marcus has been one of my favorite fighters since he started working with Jorge Gurgel after the 2nd season of TUF. I have watched Marcus roll and spar, and boy does he look incredible.
Glad to have Marcus apart of the family.
the IRISH HAND GRENADE by KO in the 1st. the only way Swick is going to last any longer is if he pulls a Starnes. IMO Swick lost his KO power when he dropped weight. people always seem to forget that he fought at 205 when he KOed Alex Schoenauer.i think his fight with Gideon Ray was at 185 but I’m not sure. other than those 2 fights he hasn’t KOed anyone.
when he says he’s squating 415 and benching 375, does it mean hes doing it for one rep or what?
im sick of people coming up to me and talking about the revolution, talk about killing for the revolution… FUCK THE REVOLUTION
but seriously, marcus is a scary fight for anybody in the ufc, if he works on his take down defense, i think he stands the greatest threat to gsp. after this he’ll probably move onto koscheck, or alves if alves looses to hughes.
SWICK will win by ass whooping dont give a fuck how much he benches or Squats!
No way. Davis by KO. He’ll power through Swick.