It didn’t take long for UFC fans to learn the name Paul “Semtex” Daley. Stepping in for an injured Mike Swick at UFC 103 this past September, it took Daley all of two-and-a-half minutes to dispatch Martin Kampmann in his UFC debut. He just as quickly and viciously defeated Dustin Hazelett in his second performance, causing fans and UFC officials to take notice of the British fighter.
Though fighting professionally since 2003—he holds a record of 23-8-2—Semtex will arguably be faced with his toughest opponent yet when he fights Josh Koscheck on May 8th at UFC 113.
BumpyKnuckle.com caught up with the Team Rough House fighter, and got his thoughts on the Koscheck fight, his propensity for trash talk, and whether a win gets him a shot at the title.
BumpyKnuckle.com: What sets you apart from the rest of the welterweight division?
Paul Daley: I knock people out in 85 percent of my fights, simple as that!
BumpyKnuckle.com: Koscheck is likely going to try to utilize his wrestling like he did in the Anthony Johnson fight. Do you think that his wrestling ability poses a problem for you?
Paul: Yeah it’s a problem, but I have the solution, so I’m okay.
BumpyKnuckle.com: You seem to have some legitimate animosity towards Koscheck. Where did that come from?
Paul: Nah I don’t surprisingly, for me it’s just entertainment. I like a laugh, and I like the pre-fight build up.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Have you been told, or has it been mentioned that the Koscheck fight will be for a title shot?
Paul: No I haven’t.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Let’s say Hardy beats St. Pierre, you beat Koscheck, and a title shot is presented to you. What would you do?
Paul: Turn it down and keep smashing fools and collecting checks.
BumpyKnuckle.com: You’re a veteran, still, was fighting in the UFC for the first time a nerve-racking experience?
Paul: No, I took it all in my stride. Just a walk in the park for me, really, my focus and intention makes me calm.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Was competing in the UFC one of your goals, or were you content just fighting wherever a good match was presented?
Paul: Yeah, I have always wanted to compete in the UFC, but I still have many goals in MMA and in life.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Being from the U.K. and constantly fighting in the U.S., does that make it a lot harder being a professional fighter?
Paul: No, why would it? For me I love fighting, wherever it may be.
BumpyKnuckle.com: If you could fight any one person, dead or alive, pro fighter or not; who would it be and why?
Paul: I don’t wish to fight anyone outside of this sport. Sport’s for money, fighting is for fighting, nah, not me.
BumpyKnuckle.com: Any last words?
Paul: Thanks to my sponsors; Ecko Unltd, Affliction, Maximuscle and Hayabusa. Thanks to my team at the Rough House in Nottingham and all the others around the world that help me. And thanks to my fans who have made me feel very at home in the UFC as well as the old school ones that have followed me for years before the UFC.
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i can’t wait to see semtex get worked by kos!
a lot of people say semtex talks smack, but as you can see, it’s just hype. kos is the real crap talker.