Top-3 UFC Fighter Alexis Davis Announces Pregnancy
The world of women’s MMA and the news surrounding it has been wild and turbulent over the past couple of weeks, and it just got wilder with Alexis Davis’ announcement that she’s pregnant.
Davis made the announcement on her Instagram page Tuesday morning. She also included an ultrasound photo of her child.
“Big news to announce today a slight delay in my return to the octagon,” said Davis. “I planned on spending as much time back home as possible to help with my niece anyways. But we are over joyed by this news and should be expecting our new arrival early 2016!”
https://instagram.com/p/6z7HT6Bf2_/?taken-by=alexisdavismma
Davis, who is the No. 3 ranked women’s bantamweight fighter in the world, according to the UFC’s official rankings, last fought in April. Many had questioned why Davis, whose only UFC loss was to Ronda Rousey, hadn’t been booked for a fight in the four months since.
Davis’ last fight was a huge comeback victory over Sarah Kaufman at UFC 186, which saw her finish the fight via armbar. Davis is perhaps best remembered for her 16 second loss to Ronda Rousey in July, 2014, at UFC 175.
It’s likely that Davis’ spot in the rankings will be forfeited, as she’s facing a long layoff due to the pregnancy. Davis says that she expects to be back in the cage by the end of 2016, which would put her at 32-years-old at the time. With the rapidly changing scene of women’s mixed martial arts, it will be interesting to see how Davis fares upon her return. Sara McMann, Michelle Waterson, and others have all balanced fighting and being mothers in the past, and met great success.
This situation isn’t a first for the UFC, as they also recently experienced this with fellow women’s bantamweight fighter, Milana Dudieva. The 135-pound fighter made her announcement just three weeks ago, becoming the first active UFC fighter to announce their pregnancy.
Dear friends, I have good news!
I am pregnant!
Now I have a little rest after the birth baby, I'll get back to training.— Milana Dudieva (@DudievaMilana) August 4, 2015
From a business standpoint, this thins out a women’s bantamweight division that needs all the help it can get with fights that don’t involve Ronda Rousey. While Dudieva is a relative newcomer, Alexis Davis was already an established name within women’s mixed martial arts prior to her Rousey bout.
This will be the 30-year-old Davis’ first child.
[Photo by Victor Decolongon / Getty Images]
