PAUL ‘Semtex’ Daley promised an explosive performance at UFC 108 – and that’s exactly what he did. The new Brit on the block KO’d highly-ranked American Dustin Hazelett halfway through the first round of their Las Vegas contest. It brings his total in UFC to two wins out of two and catapults him into the world welterweight title mix. But there was also controversy at the MGM Grand when, as Hazelett lay on the canvas, Daley pointed down at him in sharp-shooter fashion. But the genuine 26-year-old from Nottingham quickly realised that his actions had antagonised the watching 13,500 fans and he readily apologised. He said: “It’s not very honourable to stand over a guy after you just knocked him out and shoot him in the head with a pretend gun. “That’s just not cool. Then to wind his coach up a little bit by laughing – well, that’s certainly not a cool thing to do. But you know when you’re full of adrenaline you do stupid things, particularly after a knockout – and for that I apologise. “I went a little over the top with the celebration and I didn’t think it was very respectful of Dustin after I had just knocked him out. “I don’t want everybody to hate me. I’d like to have a few fans.” Daley added: “I think there was a lot of hype among UK fans with me coming to the UFC and I think I have something to prove to anyone who doubts me.” The future is certainly bright for Daley, who could now face Josh Koscheck, Anthony Johnson or Jon Fitch in his next fight. UFC president Dana White said: “Paul Daley is an awesome addition to our welterweight division. He has destroyed a top-three guy in Martin Kampmann in his first fight. Now he has won again. “He has burst on to the scene, but obviously we know who we are talking about at the top of that division – Georges St Pierre. “Daley is going to have to fight one of the top two contenders before he fights GSP. “The two best guys out there are probably Koscheck and Fitch but trying to get them to fight each other is a nightmare.” Daley’s Nottingham gym partner Dan Hardy tackles GSP for the world title in New Jersey next month. In the main event at UFC 108, Rashad Evans gained a unanimous points win over Thiago Silva in a three-round contest.
Daley was unknown before UFC really and after a KO win over a top Americian fighter emtions can get the better - I can see a bright future for Daley though.
I'm glad he apologised, I wasn't happy about it. Put him in against Koscheck, Fitch or Alves. If Koscheck rematches Thiago and Fitch and Alves fight then he could fight Jonhson in the meantime.
