Alfie Davis is optimistic about British success in MMA and football, with Paddy Pimblett and Arsenal poised for victories, while he prepares to challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for the PFL belt, considering his own task the toughest.
Alfie Davis is brimming with confidence. He believes British lightweights will soon dominate MMA championships. Oh, and Arsenal? They’re on track for a perfect year, grabbing the Premier League trophy.
Davis is set to challenge Usman Nurmagomedov for the PFL belt on Feb. 7. This comes after his win in the 2025 lightweight season tournament. Just two weeks before that, Paddy Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim 155-pound gold at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Switching gears to football, Arsenal is leading the Champions League. They also hold a 4-point lead over Manchester City in the Premier League. A victory would mark their first title since 2004. They recently edged out Chelsea 3-2 in the English Football League Cup semifinal.
“It’s great to see,” Davis said about Arsenal’s 2025-26 season. “We’ve been close before, but this year feels different. I don’t want to jinx it, but we’re nearly there.”
Regarding Pimblett vs. Gaethje on Jan. 24, Davis told MMA Fighting, “I think he will” win the UFC lightweight title.
“It’s a good time to be British, buddy,” Davis added with a grin.
When asked who faces the toughest challenge, Davis sees his own as the steepest climb.
“I think Arsenal are pretty much there,” he said. “Paddy’s got a tough job with Gaethje, but he’s favored. Honestly, I’m the biggest underdog against Usman.”
Davis went 3-0 in 2025, defeating Clay Collard, Brent Primus, and Gadzhi Rabadanov. This set up his fight with the unbeaten Nurmagomedov, who hasn’t lost in 21 bouts since 2017. Yet, Davis is optimistic.
“I think you have to put pressure on him,” Davis explained. “He’s smart and good at stealing rounds. I need to make it a firefight and damage him. That’s the plan.”