A long-rumored deal between Paul Daley and Strikeforce has officially been finalized. MMA Fighting has confirmed with Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz that the former UFC and EliteXC welterweight contender has signed a multi-fight contract with the organization. The organization has yet to decided when the British fighter will make his Strikeforce debut. The news comes just days after Strikeforce finalized deals with lightweight Jorge Masvidal and heavyweight Josh Barnett. Coincidentally, Daley defeated Masvidal via unanimous decision last Saturday at Shark Fights 13 in Amarillo, Texas. Daley (25-9-2) is 2-0 since getting released from the UFC moments after he punched Josh Koscheck right after the final bell at UFC 113 in May. At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White said that, as a of a result of Daley's actions, "Semtex" would never fight again inside the Octagon. "He's done," White said. "I don't give a [expletive] if he's the best 170-pounder in the world. He'll never come back here again. "There's no excuse for that. These guys are professional athletes. You don't ever hit a guy blatantly after the bell like that, whether you're frustrated or not. It was probably one of the dumbest things I've ever seen because he is a talented guy, and he is one of the best 170-pounders in the world." So Daley moved on, and picked up a win in July at Impact FC 2 in Australia against Daniel Acacio. The former Cage Rage champion rose to prominence in the North American MMA scene when he fought Jake Shields for the EliteXC 170-pound belt on CBS in October 2008. Unfortunately for Daley, was submitted in the second round by Shields. The 27-year-old's highest profile wins came against Martin Kampmann and Dustin Hazelett in his first two UFC fights. The current Strikeforce welterweight champion is Nick Diaz. He'll defend his title Oct. 9 against KJ Noons on Showtime.
Daley and Noons is the fight that would be fun. It won't go to the ground. Daley will get beaten up by a better technical striker.
I'm not so sure. Whilst i agree Noons is a better technical boxer, offensively he's very good by MMA standards, but he can still get caught. Daley's a natural welterweight, and if he lands, Noons goes down. Good fight.....i prefer Noons at 155, but if there's two fights worth him going to 170 for, it's matchups versus Diaz and Daley.
Personally I think Noons is heads and shoulders above Daley in terms of technical striking. I think Daley gets completely out classed and stopped brutally.
I agree about Diaz, but getting knocked out by Santos is kind of getting exposed. I think Santos is a much, much better fighter at 170 but he isn't world class.
Yeah. Getting KO'd by someone like Santos sooo easily is definately getting exposed. Especially after the hype he was getting.