I'M relieved that I am now 3-0 in my UFC career after beating Marcus Davis in Cologne, at UFC 99 last Saturday. In what was built up as a real grudge match – from Marcus's point of view at least – I won a split decision after three five-minute rounds. I'm happy with the win – Marcus is the 'gatekeeper' to the UFC's top ten at welterweight (12 stone 2lbs) and had only lost once in the last three years.

He'd already beaten four other British fighters all inside two rounds – and I was happy to stop him making it 5-0.

It was an exciting fight like it was expected to be. But I still feel I've not shown all I can do in the UFC yet.

But, having beaten Davis, I will soon get the chance to showcase my skills against a massive name like Matt Serra, Matt Hughes or Mike Swick, who looked very good in beating Ben Saunders at UFC 99.

Marcus was very strong like I expected. But he wasn't as aggressive as I thought he'd be. I expected him to try to knock my head off. But he wanted to clinch more and I feel I bossed the fight from my feet.

I dropped him with a knee to the jaw and really should have finished him there. But he's a tough, tough guy and he came back into the fight.

He's clearly trained for strength and I admit he was an intimidating-looking specimen at the weigh-in.

But there's a reason body-builders don't win UFC titles. Having massive muscles has nothing to do with being a good fighter and despite Marcus's Hulk Hogan-like physique, I knew I'd be faster and sharper than him and have more stamina.

Marcus used his strength in the opening round well. He got me down and did have me on my back. But I kept cool and I stopped him grounding and pounding me and never felt that I was in any danger.

I could feel him burning through his reserves of strength basically just to keep me down there, doing nothing. When we got back to the feet, I landed a huge elbow strike which hurt him.

Some people say I won the first round but others disagree. All I can say is that I wasn't happy going back to my corner after the opening round.

I did better in the second. Just like I thought it would be, my boxing was better than his despite him having a successful boxing career. I felt he couldn't hang with me on the feet.

He did land a nice shot here and there but for the most part, I countered him nicely.

I knew I needed a big final round going into the third. It was a tough round, he stunned me with a southpaw left cross right away but I did a lot more damage in the stand-up and on the ground.

I have to thank Jimmy Wallhead for working with me on my ground game and for getting me used to wrestling with someone so physically strong.

At the end of the fight I was unmarked and yet Marcus was beaten and very bloody.

It was a tough fight, but I won and a win is a win.

I promise I will be so much better next time.

Immediately at the horn to end round three we did clasp hands to show respect.

But Marcus clearly took all the hype to heart, which I suspected he would, and after the decision he refused to shake hands.

I paid tribute to him afterwards; I talked a lot of stuff about him because I realised that he's an emotional guy and I knew I could get inside his head. At UFC level, you need every single advantage you can get.

I think he made a mistake hitting the weights so hard. He was slower than he's been recently because of his bulk and I capitalised on that.

I'm a little disappointed that Marcus put out a statement saying I admitted I lost.

I went into his dressing room afterward to make peace and congratulate him on a war, but he didn't want to talk to me.

He kept saying "I won! I won!" What I actually said is: "I don't want to argue with you anymore," and left it at that. I understand him being upset, I guess.

Finally, a huge thank you for the 250 or so Nottingham fans who came to support me in Germany. I heard you guys – noisy load, aren't you?

Times are tough for everyone right now and for so many people from Nottingham to travel all that way to support me is just amazing.

I honestly don't take your support for granted and I am happy to give you a win. Hopefully, my next fight will be closer to home for you.