It started out so sweet for Strikeforce and Paul Daley. It was the holiday season of 2010, it was cold in St Louis and Paul wanted let Strikeforce know he would do his best to keep the organization warm. Paul came through on his promise and flattened Scott Smith to the delight of everyone. Christmas was pleasant.
Then things started moving quickly – Paul had a brief fling with Bamma until Strikeforce flashed her gold and a grimacing Nick Diaz to entice Paul Back stateside. Daley may have lost the hot affair, but damn was he fun to watch. Then he lost, and lost again. Now he’s gone from Strikeforce.
Three losses in a row can spell doom for any Zuffa employee, especially one with the history of Paul Daley, but theirs is a complicated relationship, and apparently Zuffa and Semtex are still on good terms. Some would say they’re still friends through all of this.
Daley’s statement from MMAJunkie:
“I’m happy that Strikeforce has granted my request to be released from their roster as I found it difficult to fight so infrequently,” “I felt that I put on nothing but entertaining fights while at the organization. The KOs of (Duane) Ludwig and Scott Smith were some great memories for me, as well as the back-and-forth fight of the year I had with Nick Diaz. My manager has already started speaking to some promotions about my future today following the official release papers from Strikeforce, and I’m looking forward to the next part in my journey.” “My whole career I’ve wanted to fight as often as possible as it keeps me in the best form and condition.
His manager stated:
“I am personally disappointed to see Paul leave Strikeforce,” he stated. “He’s without question one of the most charismatic personalities and talented MMA athletes to come out of the U.K. We have parted ways with Strikeforce on good terms.”
Hopefully this leads to a brief fling with Bellator or Daley admits it was all a rebound and he’s back in the UFC.
[Source]
