Paul Daley eyes Nick Diaz rematch, says fight with "Cyborg" Santos should crown a new Welterweight Champion
Posted on June 15, 2011, 02:12 PM by Joey Santosus
"I would suggest, if I was promoting it, that the next fight is for the title. Nothing's been said but, to me, it makes sense, Nick Diaz vacates the title, we were the last two guys to contend for the Strikeforce welterweight title, so it's the only thing that makes sense to me."
"I want a Diaz rematch. If Diaz loses to GSP and my fight's for the title, I'll get the title and then use it to line up a rematch with Diaz. I know it's within my power to beat Diaz. It sounds stupid because I lost to him, but had I not have got caught with a certain shot around the two-minute mark, I wouldn't have been fighting on instinct and the fight would have been a lot different. - For more from Paul Daley, visit ESPN.com
After debuting in December with a dramatic knockout victory over Scott Smith, Paul Daley was immediately granted a shot at Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz. In what was quickly touted "round of the year," Daley and Diaz went toe-to-toe for the opening five-minutes of the bout, exchanging heavy shots before "Semtex" eventually found himself unable to recover from a flurry of punches in the waning moments of the first round. The victory marked Diaz's third consecutive title defense, and with a lack of legitimate contenders for the Strikeforce belt, the Stockton Bad Boy has since abandoned the throne in favor of signing with the UFC and challenging Georges St. Pierre.
With the strap now up for grabs, Daley is set to meet another former title contender in Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos, who came up short against Diaz just under three months prior to the Brit. While both men have a legitimate claim as contenders, prospects such as undefeated Tyron Woodley also await their own crack at the belt. So what do you think LowKick'ers? Should the July 30th match-up between Daley and Santos crown a new Champion or should they first have to go through Woodley?
Photo: Paul Daley at a press conference for UFC 108 at the MGM Grand Hotel on December 30, 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Francis Specker
Comments
Daley vs Diaz II is a toss up again, if Herb Dean was reffing then there would have been a round 2. And who knows who would have gotten the TKO/KO then.
But then Nick Diaz would probably use an actual game plan if they fought again because TKOing Daley the first time is enough to back up his pride(possibly)
Think you need to see sum1 bout your lil anger issues kid. And I'd love to see u call Daley an ass to his face ha ha
Are you like a UK agent or somthing? everytime when there is someone who talk bad about a british fighter you have to comment and get weaked.
Slickrick is the poser boy for Bias UK douchebaggery,
Hey pricklick, Get off your goddamn UK throne and just shut the F up already. When you are not hugging Bisping's balls, you are A** kissing another UK fighter.
True, but I love the way people ignore fact that Daley dropped Diaz silly and should and could have finished him. It's very rare you see two top fighter's go all out like that i'd love to see them fight again.
yah the fight was awesome, i would be up for a rematch as well
Diaz was not dropped silly unless you consider having head movement while on the ground dropped silly. First time nick went down purposely second he was caught but recovered instantly stood up and beat daleys ass. Try again.
i despise daley, but the fight was really close, you cant deny that
Agreed Hunter... Diaz was flash KO'ed at one point, that was clear as day. He did a great job recovering tho.
the fighters must love that even if they lose in their title fight theyre only 1 fight away from getting another one in Strikeforce.Cyborg wins one he fights for the title, Hendo wins one he becomes champ now KJ is gonna get a shot if he wins
It makes sense to make it a title fight, but I'm sure Dana doesn't want the possibility of Daley being a Zuffa Champion, also when ZUFFA bought out Strikeforce, and Daley was set to face Diaz, he said the title would give him for bargaining power with ZUFFA, so Dana wouldn't want that either, I know Dana said that Strikeforce would be run as its own organization, but I can see Dana trying to get Daley cut from Strikeforce once his contract is out, if not that try and reduce his salary in some way where Daley will leave, both of which will be hard to do if Daley becomes champion.
I think Daley lost that Diaz fight based on a lack of precision. When he had him hurt 2 times he didn't choose his shots wisely. That gave Diaz a chance to recover...TWICE! He should work with some other gyms(training camps, coaches) to round out his game.
As for the title shot question, I think they should have a tournament(at least 4 fighters involved) instead of just handing it to guys who recently lost to the champ. Diaz Daly II would be nice, but I'd say give Daley some time to improve on his skills and all around MMA game.
I can't say I like Daley's public persona, but he is a good fighter.
For some reason, Daley feels he has to project this chip-on-his-shoulder attitude even after the fight is over. I'm going to knock Nick Diaz out!
I would like to see a rematch, as I think Daley could take Diaz if Nick repeats his usual brawling instead of using a gameplan.
I agree with Daley that if Nick is vacating his title, then Cyborg and Daley should fight for the Strikeforce title. If Nick loses to GSP--then he can try to win his Strikeforce title back.
Daley is a punk. He got Diaz to stand with him and he still got TKO'ed. He is and always will be a one dimensional fighter and if he fights anyone with a decent ground game he is going to lose. They are giving him Cyborg because they know he will stand and trade.
I don't like the idea of Daley fighting for the belt in the match after losing a title fight. Plus i don't think he could beat Diaz in a rematch. He hit Diaz with his best shoot & still came up short.