Former UFC and Strikeforce welterweight contender Paul Daley didn't take long to find a new home after being released by Strikeforce, signing with Bellator on Friday.
A member of Team Rough House in the U.K., "Semtex" agreed to part ways with Strikeforce last week, citing Daley's desire to fight as often as possible, which for Daley is more often than possible under the Strikeforce banner. He should find a more desirable schedule in Bellator, which runs weekly fight cards during its seasons, and utilizes a tournament format that should give Daley ample opportunity to step into the cage.
In addition, given Daley's history with Zuffa, Bellator probably represents the best opportunity for him on the MMA landscape.
Daley was famously cut from the UFC after his UFC 113 fight with Josh Koscheck, a welterweight title eliminator that would give the winner a shot at Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship and a spot coaching against him on the 12th season of The Ultimate Fighter. Daley was quite active in the weeks leading up to the fight in poking fun at Koscheck (particularly his hair), but when the two welterweights climbed in the Octagon, Daley was smothered by Koscheck's wrestling prowess. A frustrated Daley threw a punch at Koscheck after the final bell, earning him his walking papers from UFC president Dana White.
"He'll never come back," White said. "I don't care if he's the best 170-pounder in the world. He's never coming back here."
Daley landed in Strikeforce, running off a 5-0 record between that promotion and dates for BAMMA and Impact FC before earning a Strikeforce welterweight title shot against Nick Diaz. A thrilling back-and-forth encounter between the two fighters ended in a TKO loss for Daley, who dropped two more Strikeforce bouts before his release.
Daley still struggles against wrestlers, which could be a major issue should he ever get a title shot against Bellator welterweight champ Ben Askren, but it may be early to project that fight. In the meantime, his loud personality and the punching power that his nickname advertises will be assets for a Bellator promotion that's preparing to make a big push in 2013 with its move to Spike TV.
