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PAUL DALEY Part 2 Semtex for Sydney?
©
Marc Wickert Special
thanks to Wad Alameddine Paul
“Semtex” Daley made his Octagon debut on September 19, 2009, at UFC
103. During his match against Martin Kampmann, Daley previewed a
small snippet of his total MMA game to fans as they witnessed one of the
most exciting bouts on the card. And
while Semtex is known for his explosive fighting style and swashbuckling
KOs, there is much more depth to this UK star’s trick bag, despite Joe
Rogan stating during the Daley vs. Kampmann match that Martin “was
more well-rounded than Daley”. Daley is a man of few words and
lets his fights do the talking. His response to Joe’s
comment was straight to the point: “Kampmann has good submissions, but
who won the fight? So who is the more complete fighter?” Paul
made short work of his first UFC outing, putting Martin away by TKO in
just 2:31 of the opening round, without demonstrating any of his
respectable wrestling skills or his ever-improving BJJ techniques.
When asked if he thought his ground game was underrated, Daley replied,
“Yes… But this will work to my advantage.” At
UFC 108, Paul will be facing off against Dustin Hazelett, whose
victories have mainly been through BJJ submissions. Will Daley
feel confident on the ground if the bout goes there? “Confident
to land some heavy shots, KO him, or get back up – yes,” says the
Brit. The
reason most of Semtex’s fights have taken place in stand-up mode is
because Paul believes it makes the bouts more exciting for fans and
admits that he does like the finality of sealing a match with a KO,
something that Australian MMA fans have come to appreciate about Daley.
It’s through Paul’s stand’n’bang bouts that he has developed
such a strong fan base Down Under. But
can fans hope to see Daley on the UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez
card in Sydney on February 21? “I would love to fight on that
card, bro. Get a bunch of Australian fans to sign a petition and
get me down there! (laughs) But first I gotta KO Hazelett,” says
Daley. Paul,
what was it like walking into the Octagon for the first time? “It
was a surreal feeling.” I
believe you were a replacement for Mike Swick on that card. Did
you take the fight on short notice? “I
was already due to fight on the card, but I stepped in for Swick as part
of the main card when he got injured.” After
your win, you said, “I’m the new kid and hopefully a few of those
fans will come to like me.” Despite your extensive background in
UK and European MMA, were you an unknown to a lot of US fans? “No, I have a lot of US fans from strikeforce, Elite XC and Cage Rage, but the UFC fans are different, you know… a different market.”
Can
you give a brief rundown of your bout with Martin Kampmann, please? “I
KO’d him…simple! I threw punches for the KO and they
landed.” Outside
the ring, are you naturally right-handed? “Yes.” Do
you see similarities between your punching style and Mike Tyson’s -
particularly your menacing left hooks? “Yes,
I love Tyson, always looking for the KO.” Your
general preparation for upcoming fights consists of two training camps: The
UK Connection, where you train at Team Rough House with Rupert Smillie
(head coach and Muay Thai), Sunnay Dholakia (strength and conditioning),
Ollie Richardson (strength and conditioning), and Lee Livingston (BJJ). The
Dutch Connection, where you train with Mike Passenier (Dutch head
coach), Tom Kong Watson, Sheldon Westcott (BJJ), Kenny Johnson
(wrestling), and Melvin Manhoef ( Muay Thai). Is
this correct, please, Paul? “Yes,
this is correct. I also have Yasubey Enomoto helping out for the
last week of camp. Please visit www.semtex.tv
for more information.” What
aspect of your training does Tom Kong Watson cover? “Everything
I do, Tom does, so he’s like my buddy in camp to motivate, give input,
sparring… everything. He has a lot of training-camp experience
with his own fights and also helping GSP, Rashad Evans and the guys at
Jackson’s MMA.” Would
a victory over Dustin put you in good standing for a title shot? “I
would like a few more wins and at least six months before a title shot,
but who knows how the UFC works? Depends what their plans are for
me.” How
do you see your bout with Dustin going? “I
am going to KO him – HARD! This could be KO of the night. Paul,
is there anything you’d like to add? “Just
like to thank the fans of MMA who have helped support me while making my
rounds away from the UFC, and the new fans that are supporting me
now.” Paul
Daley’s sponsors: ECKO
UNLTD. (www.shopecko.com)
For
a review of Paul Daley vs. Martin Kampmann: http://www.knucklepit.com/ufc103-review.htm.
PAUL DALEY
"I Hope He Stands and
Trades With Me."
©Marc Wickert,
www.knucklepit.com 20/6/2006
Photos ©Cage Rage
Fighting out of Nottingham, England, Paul "Semtex" Daley was carded to fight Paul Jenkins for the welterweight title at Cage Rage 17: Ultimate Challenge. But due to Jenkins sustaining a hand injury, Daley is now carded to go to war with Ross "The Boss" Mason for the belt. A veteran of 16 ultimate fights, Daley had his last outing in the Wembley Convention Centre, at Cage Rage 16: Critical Condition, where he defeated the respected Dave Strasser by decision on April 22, 2006. However, due to the huge growth of the sport - both internationally and in the UK - Paul’s bout against Mason on July 1, 2006, will be held at the new Wembley Arena. Now twenty-three years of age, Paul declares there are no secrets as to why he originally became involved in MMA: "for the challenge, opportunities, and the chance to get paid for something which I enjoy doing," says Daley. Early in Paul’s career, he was known predominantly as a striker, earning the nickname "Semtex" due to his explosive power. With KOs and TKOs comprising seven of his ultimate-fighter wins, Daley has also fared well in hybrid kickboxing events, including a stunning KO victory over British Muay-Thai fighter, Hayden Scott. Regarded by many as a bigger hitter than reigning champion Jenkins, Daley is now better known as a well-rounded fighter: "I continue to evolve, I have good wrestling, and my Jiu Jitsu is improving." To further hone his ultimate fighting skills, Daley continues to travel abroad, and has trained with the likes of Eddie Bravo, and worked out at the American Top Team gym. In the UK, Paul is a member of the Rough House Team and trains at the Bushido MMA Academy in Nottingham. "Rupurt Smillie is my Muay Thai coach. Muay Thai is my base. I also have Sunnay Dholaki as my physical conditioning coach, and Lee Livingston (also a fighter) as my BJJ Coach," says Daley.
"Ross has a very similar
style to my own - a Muay Thai and BJJ mix. So his strength remains in
his striking."
"I hope he stands and trades with
me: It will be great for the fans, plus I enjoy this too.
What will be your strengths?
"My heart and mindset. We are much
alike when it comes to the physical game, except he's a
southpaw."
Paul, is there anything you'd like
to add?
"I Just want the fans to continue to support me and the sport." Your sponsors? "www.totalaggressionfightwear.com, www.blackstar-ent.com, and all the support from family and friends." Paul "Semtex" Daley’s stats MMA record: 10-4-2 Division: Welterweight Stance: Orthodox Height: 5’9" Dob: 21 Feb, 1983 Birthplace: London
For more on Cage Rage 17: www.cagerage.tv.
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