SSSG: Danny how's it going I wanted to say thanks for taking time out of your day to sit down with me and chop it up....
Dee1: Your welcome thanks for having me...
SCSG: So I wanted to start off by saying congrats on your pro debut... So the fight lasted 27 seconds is that correct? I haven’t been able to catch the fight can you walk me through it?
Dee1: Thank you, yeah first round TKO. We came out, touched gloves of course. I threw a quick jab and he kind of backed up. Then he started circling and I threw a 1-2 combo, then an up jab cross and I kind of caught him. I guess once he felt my power he wanted to take it to the ground, I guess because he was a wrestler. So he shot in and grabbed my leg and I sprawled out of it. Got my leg free and as he was standing back up I gave him a good knee to the head and it kind of dazed him. Then I just let my hands go and caught him with a 1-2-3 and I caught him again. He tried to duck then I gave him another knee to the head. He stumbled to the cage and I jumped on him and started to just let my hands go with right and left hooks. He then fell to the floor and I got a standing side control and started throwing bombs from a standing position and he started to go out and the ref stepped in and stopped the fight...
SCSG: That’s exciting, what a way to make your pro debut. So you basically didn’t get hit.
Dee1: Yeah it was explosive and fast.
SCSG: That's awesome... So now that your fighting pro do you train for your opponent or do you just keep training the way that you always have?
Dee1: Well I always train the way that I have. Learning new techniques and growing my fight game and pushing myself, but now I get to find out who my opponent is, so I train towards their style and make adjustments where I need to.
SCSG: SO what is the biggest difference with the fight game now that you’re pro compared to your days as an amateur fighter?
Dee1: I’m getting paid. (Laughs) I get to find out a lot more about my opponent. In amateur I usually show up and just get to see a face and we start the fight. Now that I’m pro I get to learn more, the competition is a different level as well. I also am trying to keep the record unblemished. When I was Amateur I don’t want to say that the fights didn’t matter, but they were more for experience; now that I’m pro every fight matters.
SCSG: I know you are a FASI guy out of Las Vegas, but I hear you are training with Jackson's camp now as well. How is that going, and what is your main focus when you are down there.
Dee1: Training down with Greg Jackson’s camp is good. I get to train with a lot of guys that you see on T.V. My main focus when I am down there is my ground game and submissions, my grappling and ground and pound. My stand up is pretty much where I want it to be. I mean it is always evolving and getting better, but I am down at Jacksons to work more on the ground. Coach Jackson is a great coach, he is very strategic. I just love working with him, I just enjoyed being down there. I trained twice a day and it was just a great experience.
SSCG: You've been training with Rashad and Keith is that right?
Dee1: Yeah I have been down there in classes with those guys. I was actually brought down to spar with Keith for his last fight against Rampage Jackson, you know cause I am a good stand up guy. I mean it was awesome to be down there training with the elite guys of the UFC. They were really cool guys, very welcoming and it just let me know that this is where I need to be.
SCSG: What is it like sparring with guys of that caliber?
Dee1: At first before I stepped in, it was expected, it was a little intimidating. Once I got in there though and found my zone I felt comfortable in my strong points and they helped me in my weak points. I would definitely say that I did hold my own though.
SCSG: So let’s say hypothetically you’re a month out from a fight. Walk me through a normal day of training...
Dee1: depending on the day cause I have what I call A days and B days, so from 10-12 I do some Muay Thai work on the pads, or some jiu-jitsu, then I will head home to rest up. Then later on in the evening either some cardio/ light weights, or put everything together with some MMA sparring or some stand up Muay Thai sparring.
SCSG: I got a chance to catch a few of your fights... I know that your stand up game is great, so who is working with you on your ground game and how is that going...
Dee1: In Vegas I work with Team Mica, working on my jiu-jitsu and it’s going real well. I got my blue belt. Also working with Greg Jackson’s camp is teaching me a lot. I’ve been doing Gi and no Gi Jiu-jitsu, as well as working on MMA ground and pound. I also have been hooking up with Gene Stevens twice a week to work on my shoots and sprawls and all my wrestling.
SCSG: What is the hardest part about learning the ground game since you’re more of a traditional stand up artist?
Dee1: I would have to say that I learn things pretty quickly, but a year and a half ago I would say it was difficult because you use a different set of muscle groups and it’s a different type of fatigue. The cardio for kickboxing and Jiu-jitsu is different. Also learning how to roll my hips at first, but now I have been rolling for some time and I would say that I am pretty comfortable. I roll with black belts from time to time and my best attribute I would have to say is my submission defense. I am not getting submitted as much as I used to and I can defend and be aware of what is going on.
SCSG: So let’s talk future plans, are you signed with kotc for a number of fights and if not will your next fight be with them?
Dee1: As of right now I am doing single fight contracts. Just doing good shows with solid matches. King of the Cage does want to bring me back, but the show that they are trying to have me in is not until June. In the meantime I have a show scheduled in Texas April 11th with SWCC (SouthWestCageChampionshi p) it’s a new org. and then May 2nd I am going to Hawaii to fight X-1, then May 30th I have a Muay Thai fight in San Francisco with the WCSC, and then in June I have a fight in Albuquerque with a new organization (if we don’t do the COTC show). In July I have a Muay Thai fight back in Vegas. Right now my goal is to just fight every 4-6 weeks.
SCSG: Any fighters on Dee1's radar that he's gunning for?
Dee1: Right now I am just focused on building up my pro experience, so whoever they put in front of me I am going to take. With me going into my second fight the big thing is for the experience to be similar. I don’t want to be fighting some guy with 15 or 20 fights. I mean you never know the outcome of any fight, but I just want my fights right now to be even matches.
SCSG: Ultimate goal is to be fighting in the UFC right? It's your first shot at the belt, who would be your dream fight?
Dee1: Well I think the ultimate test would GSP in my weight class, but ultimate fight since our styles match up well and are very similar would be Anderson Silva.
SCSG: (laugh) Well I don’t know about wanting to fight Anderson anytime ever, but hey more power to you…
SCSG: So, I see your fighting at 170 lbs right? That's crazy with you being 6'3" do you think your height is an advantage at this stage? And do you have plans to move up in weight...
Dee1: I wouldn’t say that it is an advantage. I think that it is a different attribute that I have as a fighter. Every fighter has their own attributes, some fighters are short and stocky and more compact so it makes them a little more explosive and powerful in certain areas. I just happen to be taller fighter and have more reach. I definitely use my reach to my advantage. At the end of the day it’s not about that, it’s about what that scale says. I am not the only fighter who is cutting weight. I mean look at guys like GSP who walk around at 190lbs. I don’t think it is an advantage, but just a different attribute, look at a shorter stockier wrestler; he can probably take me to the ground easier because of his attributes. Everyone has their own tools, my heights and reach just happen to be mine.
SCSG: We all know CroCop has a left high kick, Chuck has heavy hands, so what's your most dangerous weapon?
Dee1: I would have to say my right kick and right hand. My right kick chops those thighs out. I got a strong right hand, at the amateur level I knocked a few guys out. I mean both hands are pretty fast, but if I had to choose I would have to say my right hand and right kick.
SCSG: So I know you train up there at Apollo’s and Chan’s with Fasi, and I know that Gina C. also trains there with Master Chan. Have you seen Gina up in the building?
Dee1: Yeah I actually had seen her before she blew up. She used to train up there with Master Chan and at Fasi. She would be up there at least a few times a week for at least a year. I’ve got to see her and meet her. I wouldn’t say I know her real well, but she knows my face and I know hers...
SCSG: Well hell I’m jealous brother, so I know my readers are going to want to…. Is she as good looking in person as she is in pictures and on T.V.?
Dee1: Oh yeah… (Laughs)
SCSG: I know you got your music as well how is that going?
Dee1: It’s great I was actually in the studio just last night. I almost got my new album done. I got my single done, just working on budget to get it on the radio. Hopefully that will be on the radio this fall. Doing a lot of shows I got two shows lined up in April, opening up for major artists. I can’t wait to do those. The last major artist I opened for was Flo-rida. You know I been doing music a little longer then fighting and I feel that is right there, just kind of waiting for the right door to open with that.
SCSG: And how does that play into your fighting?
Dee1: Well with music you got to be creative. I get to express myself and express whatever is on my mind. You know like when I freestyle I have to say the first thing off my head. Fighting is similar to that, where I also have to be creative. When I fight it’s like freestyle, I have to be quick on my feet. Thinking of the next punch, the next kick. My music is an art for me and fighting is an art, it’s a martial art.
SCSG: So last question you have to choose one, your music or fighting which one is it?
Dee1: If I had to choose one, well I am the type of person that believes that you can create whatever you want in your life. I guess if you’re putting it on the table that I had to choose one, I would choose my fighting. Fighting is more of a guaranteed bet; I win fights I move up, God willing that I don’t get hurt. Where music is kind of a gamble, it’s all about who you know what kind of money you have behind you and it’s not always going to work out for you. If I had to choose one it would be my fighting, I have a lot of good people around me; supporting me. I feel that I have the people around me to get me where I need to go.
SCSG: Dee thanks for giving me a little time today, and we will be keeping a close eye on you and progress through the sport. I think you will do well; you have a lot of talent and a great attitude. Thanks again and good luck with everything. Anything you want to say to the fans out there....
Dee1: For everyone who is going to read this stay tuned, keep looking me up. I got exciting fights for you to see and it will only be a matter of time before I am fighting for a belt. If you want explosive fights, exciting fights, fights that get finished then look for Danny “DEE1” Davis Jr., The Rapper/Scrapper!
SCSG: Yeah, Yeah that’s the way that we wrap it up over here at GETBIG.COM. Hope you all enjoyed this interview and I want to say thanks again to Danny, for giving us two separate days to get this interview. Out of all the fighters that I have talked to and had a chance to chop it up with, I would have to say that Danny was one of the most level headed professionals that I have spoke with. If you’re looking for a guy without the cocky attitude and who is dedicated to his training and has the tools to make it big then keep a close eye on the kid from Las Vegas, the Rapper/Scrapper. Hopefully I’ll have another interview for you fellas in the next week or two. This next one we are going to be switching from King of the Cage to WEC! STAY TUNED FIGHT FANS!!!!!!!!!!
