PFL San Diego’s Alfie Davis Touts Alexander Shabliy as the Promotion’s Best, but Wanted a Paul Hughes Fight

PFL San Diego will feature a high stakes clash at 155 pounds as Alfie Davis and Alexander Shabliy will run it back on June 27th. Touching upon his former foe and what the acclaimed yet understated lightweight contender brings to the table here at PFL San Diego, Davis said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“Yeah, I think he’s an amazing opponent. I think [Alexander] Shabliy, I think he’s the best in PFL, to be honest with you. I think aside from [Usman] Nurmagomedov, who obviously beat us both, I think the guy that is arguably the best in that division would be Shabliy. In saying that, I think he’s not super exciting on the mic. So it’s quite hard to build the fight. Also his style of fighting is quite countery, so some people won’t enjoy watching it. But equally, he’s very talented.”

PFL San Diego will showcase the best lightweights in the company, per Alfie davis

PFL fans know that Alexander Shabliy brings it and that his level of skill is top notch. But per Alfie Davis, some newer viewers might see Shabliy as someone who does not have that normatively crowd-pleasing fight style or someone who is unable to verbalize bombastic sentiments on the microphone beforehand.

When asked if that presents a certain quandary for him heading into PFL San Diego, or if it just is what it is and he’ll make it work, Davis stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“Yeah. I mean, listen, I like big fights and I think he’s very talented, you know, but coming off a title fight, I would be lying if I wouldn’t tell you that I think there could have been bigger fights they could have booked. I think Paul Hughes would have been a big [fight]. He’s very talented and I mean, stylistically we’re both very good strikers. So I think the actual fight itself is going to be super exciting.”

“But just building it up like he doesn’t really talk much. He’s like, yeah, like in terms of entertainment factor, I don’t think there’s any. But in terms of martial arts, he’s the best in the division. As I said, he’s the best there [is] to compete against. So, I think in terms of a martial arts showcase, I think me verse him, we’re the two best guys that [are] there basically.”