Paul Daley: Apology Accepted? Not Quite Yet

Today, Paul Daley issued a public apology for the actions he engaged in before the judges' decision in the co-main event of UFC 113.

A good mind might be split on whether "Semtex" is really sorry for illegally decking Josh Koscheck about five to ten seconds after the bell, or if the underlying reason for the apology was the fact that Daley got caught by Dan Miragliotta.

I'd like to think it's the former—after all, we're all human and we all make mistakes that we don't think will bite us where the sun doesn't shine—but then again, we're talking about a sport that has had a struggle in their efforts to become a legitimate sport.

Catching someone with a left hook after the bell has rung and the fight has gone the distance isn't the thing that helps those efforts.

Sure, the trash talk was heavy from both sides, and sure, Koscheck might have had it coming since he did admit to saying something negative to Daley during the fight, but MMA gets no coverage on ESPN other than the ESPN2 premiere of MMA Live.

Whereas you see news about MLB teams, the NBA playoffs, and things that could affect the upcoming NFL season, you have seen no news related to MMA on a major sports network like ESPN prior to this past Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Daley's blow is one I think did little to the world of Mixed Martial Arts, and by "little" I mean that in comparison to the April month that seemed to dismember the fight fan's faith in MMA.

To me, nothing gives the sport a harsher image than the post-Strikeforce brawl.

What Daley's cheap shot didn't add on, at best, to the damage done in April, not only by Strikeforce but by the shaky happenings of UFC 112, it did add some damage to Paul Daley's hopes of being Dan Hardy's avenger in the near future.

Seriously, before Saturday, I though Daley was going to be the guy that knocked out GSP.

In any event, Dana White, though he was certainly all ears when it came to Daley's apology, won't be in any mood to rethink his decision to cut Daley, and as much as I hate to say it, I don't blame him for defusing Semtex for the moment.

Scott Coker, the CEO of Strikeforce, confirmed in an interview with MMA Torch that he talked to Sherdog on this matter, and has said that he may not be too eager to pick up Mr. Daley due to the possible repercussions that he may have to endure, repercussions that may include a suspension of his fighter's license which could keep Daley out of action for an unforseen amount of time.

Personally, I don't know whether Paul Daley is sorry for the cheap shot he threw at Koscheck, or if he's sorry that he got caught throwing the shot.

What I do know is that regardless of whether he ever comes back into the UFC or not, and even though I can't back Daley on throwing that shot whether Koscheck had it coming or not, I do admit I admire his ability to take the first step towards pure remorse and publicly apologize for the situation even occurring.

Things like this do happen in sports from time to time.

Even still, is now the time to forgive Paul Daley?

If you ask me, sorry, but not quite yet.