Paul “Semtex” Daley reveals his split with Strikeforce was amicable
British welterweight knockout artist, Paul “Semtex” Daley has revealed there is no bad blood between him and his former employers over at Strikeforce headquarters, explaining his recent split from the California based promotion was amicable and that he’s looking forward to the future.
Speaking via MMAJunkie.com, Daley said:
“(We were) just trying to get me a fight date while I was over at Strikeforce, and nothing was really coming back. They (Zuffa) had nothing really planned out for me, so me and my management approached them and said, ‘Look, if you’ve got nothing planned out for me, if you don’t see some clear fights in the future for me, then I’d appreciate it if you let me go.’ And they understood that. It was amicable. And they let me go.”
“Bjorn’s a very passionate guy about MMA, and I can see where he wants to go with this sport. I’m just happy he offered me the chance to be a part of it. I’ve been looking at Bellator while I’ve been with other promotions. I’ve been looking at the way they’ve been developing, and obviously with the Viacom acquisition, you can only expect more from the promotion.”
“I’m just looking at opponents now. I’ve got to keep it (the list) top secret, but I’m looking at the e-mail now from (Bellator matchmaker) Sam (Caplan), and I’m just sifting through them. It’s giving me a new focus. I’m doing everything with a little more intensity now because I’ve got someone else there to provide for. It’s a really, really motivating factor for me. I think that’s going to play out in my fights.”
Daley has really slipped down the ranks at 170 pounds of late, losing his last three fights with Strikeforce to Nick Diaz, Tyron Woodley and Kazuo Misaki. He did pick up a couple of wins on the local circuit during that time, although the names he beat really doesn’t nothing to bolster his position at 170 pounds. Stay tuned to MMABay for news on what’s next for the British knockout artist as we get it.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
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