Phil Davis pegged as challenger to Jon Jones in UFC

Now that the future of mixed martial arts has arrived with Jon Jones' ascension to the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight throne, fans and analysts alike have begun the search for the sport's newest "next big thing."

Fingers are pointing at Phil Davis.

The 2008 NCAA champion wrestler and four-time all-American at Penn State has breezed through his first eight MMA opponents, including four UFC wins in 2010.

Davis, 26, will headline a UFC card for the first time tonight when he faces Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in the light heavyweight main event of Ultimate Fight Night 24 in Seattle. The card will air tape delayed on Spike at 10 p.m.

Jones was tagged with the label of future superstar almost from the moment he debuted in the UFC. He's held the belt for barely a week, and the MMA world is already intent on figuring out who might be able to challenge him.

It's not surprising that eyes quickly turned to Davis, also a former college wrestler. Both are big and athletic for the 205-pound class and both are black -- still a novelty even in an increasingly diverse sport. While Davis feels he has a long way to go to attain Jones' level of success, he hopes to follow a similar, if more deliberate, path.

"(Jones) was able to accomplish so much in a relatively short period of time," Davis said. "So I don't know how I can't look at him and be a little bit inspired.

"I think it's an honor that people think that I'll fight for the belt one day, and the Lord willing, one day I will."

While Jones has quickly built a flashy all-around game, Davis is still largely reliant on his exceptional wrestling skills. Davis has shown an incredible ability to get his opponents to the ground, scoring a first-round takedown in each of his professional fights. Once on the mat, Davis possesses good ground-and-pound skills and a developed jiu-jitsu game.

Davis will have to improve his standup, however, if he wants to challenge for the title down the road.

"It's coming along right on schedule," he said of his striking. "I've been putting in the necessary (work)."

Davis probably doesn't plan on standing with Nogueira very long. The Brazilian was an accomplished amateur boxer and has decent power but has been susceptible to takedowns, especially in his last two fights.

It will be a stiff test for Davis, who made his UFC debut in February 2010 with a unanimous decision over Brian Stann, then blew through three more opponents last year.

He said he would prefer to compete less frequently this year and concentrate on developing his skills at his gym outside San Diego, where he trains with Brandon Vera and UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

Two other fights on the card will probably turn into standup brawls.

Anthony Johnson and Dan Hardy are two of the hardest hitters in the welterweight division. Johnson, out since having knee surgery in November 2009, is eager to get back in the cage and trade punches.

"We will be the main event," he said. "They're going to talk about me and Dan Hardy because we are those two kind of guys that will put on a show."

Leonard Garcia will meet "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung, in a rematch of a World Extreme Cagefighting bout largely considered the fight of 2010. Garcia won the featherweight battle by split decision after 15 minutes of nearly nonstop action.

Five undercard bouts will air live on Facebook beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.