Davis to fight in championship

The Extreme Challenge Super Fight Series Heavyweight Tournament mixed martial arts finale will be at Memorial Auditorium in Burlington on Saturday, Aug. 11, with Mt. Pleasant?s Parnell Davis facing Jason Huebbe.

?I am ready,? Davis said.

The heavyweight fighter is currently spending some time training at the Alliance MMA gym in Chula Vista, Calif. ? the same gym that UFC fighters like Dominick Cruz, Phil Davis and many others use to train.

?It?s inspiring to see some of the high level guys, see their work ethic. I got to talk to Michael Chandler for a few minutes,? Davis said. ?He is the Bellator lightweight champ, and he shares the same beliefs that I do.?

But it?s not just the fighters at that gym that have a good reputation.

?The coaches are some of the best in the world,? Davis said. ?The guys are really helping me, and it?s such a blessing to be down here. I?m trying to take advantage of every opportunity I have.?

Davis credits his ability to compete in that gym to his coach from home, Lowell?s Gabe Lemley.

?I?ve been invited to some high-level, private classes because the coaches see my technique, and that all stems from Gabe ? I wouldn?t be able to do this without him,? Davis said. ?It?s cool ? I?ve been able to advance in some of the sessions.?

Davis is also excited to bring some of the new training methods he?s learned back to Mt. Pleasant?s American Bulldog Gym, where he hopes they will help other fighters ? such as Mt. Pleasant?s Tyler McGuire, who is also fighting in Burlington on Saturday.

Between two-a-day or three-a-day practices, Davis is managing to get in some quality time with his family as well ? his wife, Norma, and infant son, Jeremiah, are with him in California.

?I wanted to experience a high-level gym, but I also wanted to go to a place where I could bring my family,? Davis said.

Highlights of the family vacation have included time at the beach and a trip to the San Diego Zoo.

?I?m still doing this for the same reasons,? he said. ?Keeping Jesus No. 1 is my priority, and that includes doing the best that I can. Second, I want to provide for my family.?

Being a provider is what motivated Davis to enter this tournament, in which the winner will get a professional contract.

He is now just one win away from that contract.

A former Extreme Challenge champion, Davis finished Dusty Chandler in the semifinals held in Fairfield to move on to the tournament championship. His next opponent, Huebbe, who is undefeated at 3-0, defeated belt-holder Dave Swafford on the same card.

But that?s in the past.

And Davis is looking forward to the future.

?My wife has family from California, so we?re going to see them (this weekend),? Davis said. ?Then we?ll fly back overnight on Sunday, get in Monday, and I?ll be back at Gabe?s Monday night.?

The heavyweight championship of the Extreme Challenge Super Fight Series is Saturday night?s featured event, but the action starts at 7:30 p.m. with many other fights as well.

To see who?s on the card or purchase tickets for the event, see Memorial Auditorium?s website at: www.burlingtonauditorium.com.