Veteran welterweight Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley (29-11-2) earned his second straight win, and sixth since he was expelled from the Ultimate Fighting Championship a year-and-a-half ago.
Daley returned to Montreal, Quebec, Canada to meet another former UFC vet, Luigi Fioravanti, in the main event of the Ringside MMA 12 event on Friday night at the Bell Centre, the scene of his very last Octagon appearance.
It wasn’t the ending the British striker had hoped for, by winning a unanimous decision over Fioravanti by scores of 30-27 from all three judges.
‘Semtex’ was looking for a finish and was apologetic to the fans for the performance.
“I am really sorry to disappoint the fans at the Bell Centre. Luigi is a tough guy and never really gets finished. I am going to rest, as I have fought seven fights in twelve months … when you see me back in the ring, I will be finishing fights.”
Previously Daley was last in action on the BAMMA 7 card fighting on his native soil, earning a decision victory over Jordan Radev at the UK event. That win ended a two fight losing skid which saw ‘Semtex’ drop bouts to Nick Diaz for the Strikeforce welterweight title, and a decision loss to Tyron Woodley, both of which occurred this year.
There had been some talk of Daley taking on recently signed Nate Marquardt at the upcoming BAMMA 8 card for that promotions 170 lbs title, but Daley indicated on his Facebook page that his management was unable to come to terms in order book the title bout.
The full ‘Quick Results’ for Ringside MMA 12 are as follows:
Welterweight bout: Paul Daley def. Luigi Fioravanti via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight bout: Michel Gagnon def. David Harris via Submission (Guillotine Choke) – R1 @ 2:09
Lightweight Title bout: Daron Cruickshank def. Mike Ricci via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
Welterweight bout: Alex Garcia def. Matt MacGrath via KO – R1 @ 0:34
Lightweight bout: Jason Saggo def. Kevin Morin via TKO – R3 @ 3:49
Featherweight bout: Brett Portieous def. Tommy Cote via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Welterweight bout: Francis Charbonneau def. Chris Franck via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight bout: Keven Tremblay def. Maxime Fecteau via Split Decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
Lightweight bout: Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Guy Poulin via Submission (Rear-naked choke) – R1 @ 0:58
Heavyweight bout: Vladimir Starcencov def. Craig Hudson via KO – R1 @ 0:59