Hard-hitting Brit Paul Daley has been removed from the Bellator Fighting Championships’ Season 8 welterweight tournament. Sherdog.com Wednesday confirmed the development with a sources close to the situation, who verified that visa issues will prevent the hard-hitting Brit from entering the United States in time to join the tournament. According to one of Sherdog’s sources, an assault charge filed against Daley in the U.K. is to blame. ESPN.com first reported the development on Tuesday, indicating that the charge stemmed from a bar fight, though Sherdog’s source could not confirm that aspect of the report. Daley recently took to Facebook to address the situation, confirming that he will not fight in the Season 8 draw but denying that a “bar brawl†was the cause of his visa troubles. “It seems as though a mass press release has gone out to the MMA media, stating I was involved bar brawl, arrested, and cannot obtain a P-1 visa to compete in the U.S.A.,†Daley wrote. “I am currently awaiting a decision on my visa, which is not expected until late April, which means I am unable to compete in the Season 8 Bellator tournament, as it starts in January. I will be fighting in Europe in the coming months, so I am able to stay active while awaiting a decision on my visa status. I was not involved in a bar brawl. This is 100 percent a false statement.†Known for his punching power, Daley signed with Bellator last year following a four-fight stint with Strikeforce, during which he unsuccessfully challenged Nick Diaz for that promotion’s welterweight title. A winner in three of his last four fights, the 29-year-old previously competed for the UFC from 2009 to 2010, receiving his promotional release after taking a swing at Josh Koscheck after their bout had concluded at UFC 113. “Semtex†made his Bellator debut this past July, earning a first-round technical knockout over Rudy Bears at Bellator 72. He denies the bar brawl, but won't say why he can't get his visa and has a hearing in April. Comical. Paul Daley is a complete waste of talent.
I don't really care much for Daley. Too one dimensional to be great, sure he can provide some fun fights but only if matched right. He couldn't cut it in the UFC nor Strikeforce so maybe it's for the best that he didn't partake in their tournament because if he some how would win it and then beat their champ it would make them look very bush league . They should keep doing what they're doing keep signing those no name prospects from all over the world instead of bringing in "name" UFC rejects. To give you an example take Mike Chandler, he never fought in the UFC and for all we know he could show up and beat the shit out of everyone there which makes Bellator's champ look strong but if say before coming to Bellator he went 2-5 in the UFC it would make Bellator look weak.
Keep in mind that Bellator's Welterweight division, which Daley will fight in, is controlled by Ben Askren who is like Chandler and not a UFC product. Not to mention one of the best welterweight prospects in the world, Andrey Koreshkov, just blitzed throught Bellator's WW Tourney. He is another guy that is undefeated and never stepped foot in the UFC. I kind of like Bellator's method. They sign some known guys like Daley or Brett Rogers or Roger Huerta to generate some interest for the actual good fighters on their roster. And Daley will meet the same fate as Huerta. He'll get sent toward retirement by some hungry and talented Bellator fighters. There is a part of me that really hopes Bellator is able to keep Eddie Alvarez. As much as I'd like to see Alvarez against the top guys in the UFC, a Chandler-Alvarez rematch broadcast on SPIKE (New location for Bellator Jan 17th) would be hugh for Bellator. I just doubt Alvarez would agree to fight 2 fights in a tournament to get a shot at Chandler.
