Press Release – Fight Management is proud to announce that explosive UK Welterweight Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley will be returning to Strikeforce on 30th July to fight Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos at Sears Centre Arena in Chicago.
Daley says: “I’m happy to be fighting again. It’s a big fight. For those who haven’t seen the Melvin Manhoef v. Cyborg fight, watch it and expect the same outcome for Cyborg … He’ll be knocked out.”
The Light Heavyweight tear up at Cage Rage 15 between Manhoef and Cyborg is one of UKMMA’s most iconic brawls. Daley will be training alongside the winner of that fight, Melvin Manhoef at Mike’s gym in Holland in preparation for this much anticipated fight.
Fighting out of Nottingham’s legendary Rough House, knock out artist Paul Daley holds a record of 27-10-2. Daley’s last fight at Strikeforce (9th April 2011) saw him lose his title fight in an explosive bad-boy match up against Nick Diaz.
Diaz (who has now relinquished his title) is now set to face George-St.Pierre at UFC 137 which throws up unanswered questions about the Strikeforce Welterweight division and the significance of this fight … featuring arguable the top two fighters in the Welterweight division, is this bout now a Strikeforce Title fight in all but name?
Fighting out of the world famous Chute Boxe Academy, the Brazilian Santos comes with a record of 18-14-0 and is also coming off a Strikeforce loss against Diaz (29th January 2011). Santos’ belligerence matches Daley’s to promise a dramatic contest.
Daley says: “Just like me, Cyborg’s been around since the Cage Rage days. He brings experience and power to the cage, like me. He’s an aggressive guy, like me. And it will be an entertaining fight, like mine always are.”
Daley’s manager Wad Alameddine says, ‘Coming off the back of the Diaz fight, which a lot of people are talking about as one of the most exciting one round fights in MMA history, we’re looking forward to an equally if not more entertaining fight against another proven fighter in Cyborg. These two guys are the top two Welterweights in Strikeforce behind Nick and it’s a fight all the fans are looking forward to…. Let’s be honest, someone’s getting knocked out.’