Paul Daley

Paul "Semtex" Daley

Daley vs. Thompson Added to MFC 20

A welterweight bout between British sensation Paul “Semtex” Daley and former BodogFight welterweight champion Nick Thompson has been added to the Maximum Fighting Championship’s latest offering on February 20 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

MMA on Tap has been able to confirm the bout with MFC President Mark Pavelich. A formal announcement of the fight is expected in the coming days.

Daley had a six-fight winning streak snapped at EliteXC’s “Heat” event in October, where he fell to former EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields via armbar in the second round. “Semtex” bounced back recently to record a second-round TKO of John Alessio at MFC 19 on December 5.

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Daley Hoping to Sign With UFC Next Year

In a recent interview with Fighters Only Magazine, British welterweight sensation Paul “Semtex” Daley revealed that he hopes to be able to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship at some point next year after his contractual issues with ProElite are resolved:

“So I think 2009 is the year for Semtex to arrive in the UFC,” Daley said in the article. “Right now I’m waiting for the whole legal contract thing with ProElite to be dealt with. It all depends on the situation with ProElite, as I was happy there. I’d love to fight at Affliction, they have shown some interest, but we have to wait on ProElite. Whether they keep my contract or they let me go… who knows if they’re even gonna still put on shows? It’s all unclear right now. But if they release me, I’ll fight for Affliction and win… and then hopefully the UFC will come calling.”

Daley would obviously be a great addition to an already stacked UFC welterweight division and I hope that both sides will be able to make it happen. Despite still being very young (25-years-old), Daley has a tremendous amount of experience already and further cemented the idea that he would be able to hold his own while working his way up the 170 lb. ladder with his win over John Alessio this past weekend.

MFC 19 Results and Story

Newton crowned new MFC champ
Daley blasts Alessio in Long Time Coming’s superfight

Emanuel “The Hardcore Kid” Newton used a methodical approach and demonstrated a vastly superior gas tank as he ripped the Maximum Fighting Championship’s world light heavyweight title from Roger Hollett last night before a sold-out crowd at MFC 19: Long Time Coming.

Before the HDNet Fights’ cameras and a full house at The Venue at River Cree Resort and Casino, Newton simply wore out Hollett with a steady barrage of takedowns and an early attack to the body that clearly depleted the former title-holder. But while delighted with taking the title by a resounding unanimous decision, Newton (18-3) was apologetic for a fight that was less-than thrilling.
“I’m sorry it wasn’t very exciting and I promise I will be better when I defend this beautiful belt,” said Newton. “I relied on my cardio and that was the difference.”

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Report: Alessio-Daley to Collide at MFC 19 (Updated)

Former UFC and WEC welterweight title challenger John Alessio will reportedly take on rising British striker Paul Daley in a bout that will take place inside Mark Pavelich’s Maximum Fighting Championship on December 5 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada according to Sherdog.com.

Both Alessio and Daley were connected to the demise of ProElite’s EliteXC brand earlier this month. Daley had fought on four separate occasions in different promotions under the ProElite banner while Alessio was in talks to sign with the company before opting to twice fight at Las Vegas-based “Night of Combat” events following his release from the WEC earlier this year.

Alessio has won his last two fights since being disqualified for illegally kneeing Brock Larson at WEC 33 back in March. The Canadian submitted Pete Spratt in early summer and followed up by stopping fellow UFC veteran Gideon Ray with strikes on October 11.

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Alvarez, Daley Targeting January Returns

Former EliteXC standouts Eddie Alvarez and Paul Daley, who are expected to become free agents following the demise of the ProElite-owned promotion, have both revealed their intentions to return to action as soon as January in separate interviews with Sherdog.com.

According to Alvarez’s manager, midwest promoter Monte Cox, the Philadelphia native’s contract had him fighting in a variety of organizations, including EliteXC, Adrenaline MMA, and DREAM. However his next fight could take place in a yet-to-be-announced Extreme Challenge show in New Jersey:

“Eddie’s contract with Pro Elite was also a contract with Adrenaline and Extreme Challenge, and also a contract with Dream,” Cox told Sherdog.com. “That contract allowed him to fight in any of those places. (Pro Elite) only owned a piece of Eddie. I put in his contract that he would fight in EliteXC and then Extreme Challenge, Adrenaline, or Dream. We were alternating. The deal also says if one of the organizations doesn’t schedule a fight or is unable to put on a fight, they lose a turn.”

Under the two-year agreement, Alvarez (15-1) has two more fights owed to Dream, though Cox said Alvarez’s next fight could be for Extreme Challenge, possibly this January in Atlantic City. Cox also did not rule out a stint with the UFC if an attractive offer presents itself.

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EliteXC Oct 4, 2008 Results

Can’t really call it Kimbo-Shamrock if that didn’t happen, can we?  After some technical difficulties preventing live blogging, it’s time to post the results.

For those unaware: Ken Shamrock was not able to get doctor’s clearance for the fight.  Seth Petruzelli (TUF 2) took his place to fight Kimbo Slice.

Results:

Seth Petruzelli def. Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson - TKO (Strikes)
Jake Shields def. Paul Daley - Submission (Armbar)
Andrei Arlovski def. Roy Nelson - KO
Gina Carano def. Kelly Kobold - Unanimous Decision
Benji Radach def. Murilo “Ninja” Rua - TKO (Strikes)
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos def. Yoko Takahashi - Unanimous Decision
Connor Heun def. Edson Berto - TKO (Strikes)
Mikey Gomez def. Lorenzo Borgomeo - Submission (Armbar)
Bryan Hamade def. David Gomez - Submission (Guillotine)
Nicolae Cury def. Jorge Bouchat - Submission (Reverse Triangle)

Yup, you read that right, Kimbo was TKO’d.  Not only that, but he was TKO’d in 14 seconds.  Shocker?  A little, but not completely, despite the popularity difference.

EliteXC announced a sellout, and ratings may have been good for the event, but with Kimbo dispatched so quickly, EliteXC’s possible success tonight will be overshadowed by their biggest draw falling so fast.

EliteXC Heat Weigh-ins and News

The weigh-in’s for tonight’s CBS broadcast of EliteXC Heat: Slice vs Shamrock took place yesterday and were not without their fair share of controversy.  Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock got into a physical pushing match while Jake Shields and Paul Daley also got very confrontational and had to be separated multiple times including behind the scenes.  And Gina Carano made weight.  But not without having to fully disrobe in front of the crowd covered by a few flimsy towels.  Here are the weights.

Main Card on CBS
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson - 234.5 vs. Ken Shamrock - 206.5
Jake Shields - 169.75 vs. Paul Daley - 170
Andrei Arlovski - 240.75 vs. Roy Nelson - 262.75
Gina Carano - 141 vs. Kelly Kobold - 141
Benji Radach - 185 vs. Murilo “Ninja” Rua - 185

Preliminary Bouts:
Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos - 148.5 vs. Yoko Takahashi - 148.5
Edson Berto - 157.75 vs. Connor Heun - 160.75
Seth Petruzelli - 205.5 vs. Aaron Rosa - 204.75
Lorenzo Borgomeo - 170.25 vs. Mikey Gomez - 170.25
David Gomez - 138.75 vs. Bryan Hamade - 138.75
Jorge Bouchat - 159.5 vs. Nicolae Cury - 161.25

I have some opinions on this after the jump.

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EliteXC Announces Partial Oct 4. Card

EliteXC has officially announced the televised main card for the upcoming third edition of “Saturday Night” Fights, which will be broadcast on CBS and will take place at the BankAtlantic Center, in Sunrise, Florida on October 4.

The show’s main event will feature EliteXC heavyweight sensation Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson taking on the biggest test of his young career thus far in the form of UFC Hall-of-Famer Ken Shamrock. EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields will defend his title against top British welterweight Paul Daley in the night’s co-main event.

Additional featured bouts include a women’s 140 lb. bout between the ever-popular Gina Carano and female veteran Kelly Kobold-Gavin and a middleweight affair between former EliteXC middleweight champion Murilo “Ninja” Rua and UFC and IFL veteran Benji Radach.

Another female bout between Brazilian standout Cris Cyborg and Yoko Takahashi will serve as the show’s swing bout, meaning that it could be featured on the CBS broadcast time-permitting. Also announced for the non-televised undercard was Edson Berto vs. Mike Aina and the participation of UFC veterans Crafton Wallace and Seth Petruzelli.

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Report: Shields to Defend Title Against Daley

Mark your calendars because this is going to be a fight you want to see.

It seems that Jake Shields‘ camp has finally made a decision about his next fight. He’ll reportedly defend his EliteXC welterweight title against Paul “Semtex” Daley at the organization’s latest edition of “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS, which will take place at the at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida on October 4th.

The news comes from MMA Weekly, who have confirmed the bout as taking place with EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw.

“Jake Shields and Paul Daley have a date on Oct. 4,” Shaw said. “Both fighters have verbally agreed. Bout agreements are out and we’re just waiting for them to come back in. Unlike some others, these are two guys that I trust their word.”

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Fight of the Day: Paul Daley vs. Mark Weir

From Cage Rage 23: Unbelievable in September 2007, here’s Paul Daley vs. Mark Weir for the vacant Cage Rage welterweight title.