'Too quiet' Alexis Davis hopes UFC Fight Night 31 proves a breakout performance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – If you don’t know that Alexis Davis is on a 6-1 run, the Unified Women MMA’s Rankings‘ No. 3 bantamweight, and two days away from co-headlining a UFC event, the friendly Canadian probably knows why.

“It’s hard because it’s just my personality,” she told MMAjunkie.com. “I’m just too quiet.”

It’s a fact she shares with a shrug of the shoulders and a slightly embarrassed smile. After all, in some ways, Davis is still a wide-eyed rookie. She can’t believe she gets to fight for the world’s largest MMA promotion, and she still gets a kick out of seeing her picture on an actual UFC poster.

And the fans’ reception to her and other female fighters? It’s beyond anything she ever expected.

But as Davis (14-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meets former title challenger and fan favorite Liz Carmouche (9-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 31 co-headliner at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, she knows she needs to follow her opponent’s lead. It’s time to get down to business on FOX Sports 1.

“Liz, she has such a backing,” Davis said. “She’s great at being able to get herself out there. Me? Not so much. … It’s my own fault. If I was better at it, I think I’d have a better following. I’ve just got to hope with what I do in the cage, fans see it and see what I can do.”

Davis was one of the first fighters the UFC signed when it added its 135-pound women’s division earlier this year. And for good reason. The six-year pro has fought for major organizations such as Strikeforce and Invicta FC, and she’s logged cage time against a who’s who of women’s MMA, including Sarah Kaufman, Tara LaRosa, Julie Kedzie, Shayna Baszler, Hitomi Akano and, in her victorious UFC debut, Rosi Sexton. Tried-and-true MMA fans know her well, but that doesn’t necessarily translate movie roles and big endorsements and celebrity appearances.

Not that such things really interest her.

“I’m a very private person,” she said. “I like to go home (after training), and I’m just so laid back. I like to go home and watch a movie. I’m not going out to clubs. I mean, after the fight, I’ll maybe have one drink with my parents and then just eat some junk food.”

It won’t get her name on the marquee for a big after-party, but she kind of likes it that way. Sure, she’s extremely likable, and she’s very well spoken and engaging. But if you saw her on the street, “professional cage fighter” probably wouldn’t be your first guess as her day job.

However, now that she’s here and rising up the ranks, it’s probably time to do a little talking.

But even when asked if the winner of Wednesday’s fight should be next up for either champ Ronda Rousey or challenger Miesha Tate, who co-headline next month’s UFC 168 event, Davis isn’t going to cut a fiery promo or talk trash about her potential opponents.

“It’s hard (to say), but I think we deserve it,” she said when asked if she and Carmouche should be fighting for No. 1 contender’s status. “And I’m not just saying that because it’s me, and well, I should say that. It’s going to be an exciting fight, and we’re both top female fighters. But it’s hard to say what’s going to happen. I mean, how is Cat Zingano going to fit in there? Will she be ready for a title fight when she gets back. … But I think it should definitely put us in title contention.

“I just feel so close to a title shot. It’s within reaching distance, and it’s just so close.”

For more on UFC Fight Night 31, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.