Strikeforce welterweight Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley (27-10-2) is on the hunt for a new opponent after his original opponent, Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos (18-14) was forced out of their upcoming end of July bout due to shoulder injury.
News of ‘Cyborg’s’ injury was first reported by MMAPrime.tv who learned of the injury from sources in Santo’s camp. The news has since been confirmed by ESPN who spoke with Daley’s management that the search is on for a new opponent.
Both men had been scheduled to fight on the main card of the upcoming Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson event, set for July 30 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. With Nick Diaz vacating the Strikeforce 170 lb title it was thought that Daley vs. Cyborg would determine the next champion.
Wrestler Tyron Woodley (8-0) has been campaigning for the next shot at the welterweight title, but would have just over a month to prepare for Daley.
Daley fought for the Strikeforce title in his last cage appearance, losing to Nick Diaz by TKO with three seconds left on the clock. The one round bout is considered be a candidate for “Fight of the Year” and marks the return of ‘Semtex’ to Zuffa since his dismissal from the UFC for his post fight sucker punch of Josh Koscheck at UFC 113.
Coincidentally, ‘Cyborg’s’ last fight was also a loss to Diaz in a title match last January. The champ used an armbar in the second round to beat the Brazilian. The loss ended a two fight win streak and puts Santos welterweight record at 1-1.