Paul Daley Video Interview: Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker “Sold Out”

Nick CaronApr 8, 2011

Just days before his shot at the Strikeforce Welterweight Championship, British mixed martial artist Paul Daley had some controversial words to say about the promotion’s management.

“I was generally kind of pissed off,” Daley admitted about Strikeforce being purchased by Zuffa. “I felt like [Strikeforce CEO] Scott Coker had sold out.”

Daley was released of his UFC contract following a fight at UFC 113 where he lost a unanimous decision to Josh Koscheck. After a frustrating bout in which Daley took very little damage, but spent the majority of the 15 minutes on his back, Daley sucker-punched Koscheck.

The punch prompted UFC President, Dana White, to go on a tirade after the event, where he publicly revealed that Daley would never fight again in the UFC.

“I enjoyed being the competition. I liked that Strikeforce was the competition,” Daley continued. “The UFC got rid of me and I was doing my thing, fighting for various organizations, and Strikeforce was the first big one where I made an impact.”

The Brit says that he hasn’t spoken to Dana White yet since the news that Strikeforce had been purchased, but said that he had no problems with fighting Diaz under the Zuffa banner.

“I have to fight because I agreed to fight. I signed the contract,” he said.

But as tomorrow night’s fight inches closer, Daley seems to be getting more and more excited about the possibility of a having an exciting fight against one of the world’s best.

”Whereas Koscheck, I didn’t admire him much, I think Nick Diaz is going to come to fight,” Daley said. “I’m excited as a fan and I’m the dude in the fight!”

Both Daley and Diaz have spoken out recently against the “lay and pray” style which has been effective in winning many fights recently, relying that they would like to be in exciting fights for the fans.

“I’m winning, I’m knocking people out, but I’ve never really felt like I’ve been in a fight,” Daley admitted. “I think he’s going to bring out the best in me.”

“Like I’ve always said, Nick comes to fight.”

No word has officially come down on whether there will now be bonuses, but Paul Daley was enthusiastic about a potential extra check in his pocket.

“Now that Zuffa has purchased Strikeforce, I’m going to try to get a Fight of the Night bonus.”

When asked about his prediction for the fight, Daley said that he believes he will win the fight by TKO, and that this is one of the most important fights of his career.

“I think it’s going to be a bloody fight, and it’s not going to be all me. Nick cuts really easily and I hit really hard.”

“This is too big of an opportunity to [expletive] up.”