Paul Daley is ready for his UFC debut.
Two months ago Paul Daley (21-8-2) was preparing to fight Jay Hieron on Affliction’s Trilogy card, but when Josh Barnett tested positive for steroids, Tom Atencio and company had pulled out of the MMA promotion business — leaving their guys without an organization to call home. Shortly after the UFC swooped in like Spiderman and snapped up 21 contracts of men who had previously been signed with Affliction.
Luckily for the British-born Daley, he was one of the many men acquired by the premier organization. For a short time, Daley was unaware of who he would be facing next but on Sept. 4, it was announced that Mike Swick was injured in training and would have to pull out of his fight against Martin Kampmann at UFC 103. Daley, a Muay Thai based fighter, was the perfect match to pair with the Danish-import, Kampmann.
“[I had] no second thoughts [when asked to fight Kampmann],” said Daley. “It’s a huge fight. I’m glad for the oppurtunity. I know Martin had prepared for a tough fight, so I think it’s fair I give him the oppurtunity to have that.”
Both men come from striking backgrounds to the bout is sure be an explosive match on the feet.
Daley has won 16 of his bouts via knockout, while Kampmann has won seven of his bouts by KO. Though the fight was originally for title contention, with Daley taking Swick’s spot there will be no GSP-fight on the line, but don’t expect either of these men to bring anything less than their A-game.
“A match with GSP is way off for me, but you know I’m a fighter’s fighter, so I expect that more tough fights with top tier guys will come for me after this,” Daley said.
Oddsmakers and industry folks can speculate all day over who will be next for Daley, but he’s not looking past his next opponent. He knows this is a huge opportunity for him and he’s not going to take for granted the chance he’s been given.
“I am excited, and a bit shocked,” Daley said. “I can’t miss this oppurtunity. It’s great, real excited to be part of somthing so big.”
If Affliction had continued with Trilogy and Daley had continued with them, then this opportunity, this fight, may never have taken place.
Thankful for the opportunity, Daley is left to believe that nothing is left to chance and everything happens for a reason.
“I belive everything in life happens for a reason,” Daley said. “I was abit pissed off [when Affliction folded], but I knew there was something else planned for me. I have alot of faith.”
I’m really happy that UFC test guys for steroids use. It brings more credibility to the sport. Good job!
you dont need steroids to build muscle just good hard training so leben put your medi kit down and stop lending it to barnett.