Paul Daley: New Opponent, Same Old Attitude
Elliot sent this in:
The nickname ‘Semtex’ implies that the threat of an opponent isn’t the only thing that can blow up in the face of Paul Daley on fight night.
Even when presented with an opponent more than capable of shattering his dreams, Daley refuses to recognise or concern himself with the danger. Blessed with an abundance of natural ability and Octagon-based tools, Daley only fears the prospect of his own car not starting.
“I respect all opponents, but never fear what they can do,” says England’s Daley. “I always concentrate on what I do in a fight, rather than panic or focus on what my opponent does. I know I have the ability and the punch power to knock out every welterweight in the world.
“I train to knock people out. I train to do what I do naturally. I just concentrate on executing what I need to execute in order to get the knockout.”
Perhaps one of the deadliest pound-for-pound punchers in mixed martial arts, welterweight Daley exploded into the UFC’s 170-pound division with a September knockout of top contender Martin Kampmann. Displaying evil eyes and evil fists, Daley set about Kampmann from the off, nailing the Danish kickboxer with a pick-‘n’-mix of hard left hooks and right crosses. Shaken to his core and unable to deal with Daley’s sheer intensity and physical strength, Kampmann woozily retreated to the Octagon fence and was stopped under a fierce barrage.
By way of Nottingham, England, Daley, 22-8-2, had arrived.
“I felt like I made a statement against Kampmann and hopefully opened a few eyes as to what I can do in the UFC,” he continues. “I’m not just entering the UFC as a journeyman or someone who is going to lose to every good guy he faces. I’m going to come after you and finish fights.
“I’m a real fighter and not one of these guys who loves wearing the branded clothing and just pretends to be a fighter as they smile into the TV cameras.”
Daley’s arrival in the UFC wasn’t of the shock or overnight variety. A well-known and respected traveller of the mixed martial arts world, Daley had been on the UFC’s radar for a number of years. The hard-hitting Brit was noted as one of his country’s leading fighting stars and would often appear in various other promotions around the world. As his star grew, the inevitable knocking of the UFC fist could be heard.
“I didn’t want to just accept the invitation to join the UFC and then get there and realise I wasn’t ready,” explains Daley. “A lot of guys just see the big lights and jump for it. They don’t analyse what it is they are in for. They don’t stop and think whether they are actually good enough or not.
”I wanted to live a little before joining the UFC. I wanted to travel the world, build up my experience and become the best fighter I could be. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still learning now and will never stop learning – but I feel I’m more than ready for the UFC. I wasn’t ready a few years back.”
If the result against Kampmann was anything to go by, ‘Semtex’s sense of timing – both inside and outside the Octagon – would appear immaculate. The 26-year-old is now perfectly positioned to join fellow Nottingham star Dan Hardy in challenging for the UFC welterweight title in 2010.
First, though, Daley must continue his spectacular form against ground wiz kid Dustin Hazelett. Originally set to face Carlos Condit, Daley now looks to strike with the man known as ‘McLovin’ on January 2nd at UFC 108.
“The switch in opponent may have unsettled and disrupted other fighters, but it’s had no negative effect on me,” says Daley. “I always train the same way, no matter who I fight. I simply train to KO people and, at the same time, not get KO’d or submitted myself. I haven’t had to change anything with a new opponent brought in. My training and mindset remain exactly the same, regardless of whether I’m facing Condit or Hazelett.”
Despite his single-minded attitude to the nature of combat, Daley remains a willing learner and improver in the gym. Splitting his time between the Rough House in his native Nottingham and a top secret training base in Holland, Daley has continued to mold his ever-increasing skill-set.
“The first part of camp (in Nottingham) was all about getting my fitness and strength up and waving goodbye to ring rust, as well as working on specifics.
“The second stage in Holland follows the same blueprint and works on the same things, but with slight alterations and additions.
“I was out in Holland working with Tom Kong Watson, Sheldon Westcott, Kenny Johnson and Melvin Manhoef. Overall, training has been really solid and I’ve been excelling in sparring sessions, conditioning, pads, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other specifics.
“I have a higher level of training and am able to work on my specifics in Holland. This is my Olympic squad. An athlete trains with their national club and then goes to train with the Olympic squad for an even better standard of preparation. That is exactly what I’m doing. I’m always looking for ways to improve myself and to work with the best.”
While Condit would have presented Daley with his own unique difficulties, Hazelett may prove even more problematic for Daley. A talented grappler with a show reel of previous submission wins, Hazelett is a guy who knows his limitations and works desperately hard to steer away from them. Condit, on the other hand, is a fighter content to experiment in all regions of the Octagon – whether standing or going to ground.
As Kampmann found out in September, standing with Daley, for even a second, can prove disastrous. While Condit may have licked his lips and fancied the challenge, one assumes Hazelett will be quicker to drag Daley southwards and add to his highlights package.
”Dustin is a tough guy and someone I consider to be a contender for the UFC welterweight title,” assesses Daley. “He’s getting better all the time and is now starting to arrive on the scene. He’s looking to score some big wins over some top contenders and manoeuvre his way to a title shot.
“In terms of attributes, Hazelett has improved stand-up and slick jiu-jitsu on the ground. I’m taking this challenge very seriously and know of the dangers Hazelett presents. This is my second appearance in the UFC and I want to continue the momentum I gained from beating Kampmann in September. I knocked out Kampmann in one round and I’d love to do something similar to Hazelett.”
Should Daley devour Hazelett in the same manner he did Kampmann, a title shot could arrive quicker than even he expects. While fully focused on his own January duel with Hazelett, Daley also has half an eye on countryman Hardy’s mega showdown with champion Georges St-Pierre in March. Long-time friends, who both started their mixed martial arts journey in tandem, Daley and Hardy are now reaching the summit at around the same time.
“Dan and me are very similar characters,” says ‘Semtex’. “We’re almost flip sides of the same coin. We’re different people with different backgrounds but we share similar attitudes and mindsets, and approach situations the same way.
“He’s got the right fights in the UFC and has made the most of them. He should be really proud of himself for the way he has taken the challenge by the scruff of its neck and beaten everyone put in front of him. I knew he would defeat Mike Swick at UFC 105 and he did so in style, setting up this shot at the UFC title.
“So long as Dan fights to the best of his ability and sticks to the game plan, he has the talent to beat anybody at 170-pounds – GSP included.”
So what about Daley? Should he keep winning in 2010, a title shot will surely be a given within 12 months. Whether it comes against his mate or the great GSP, Daley is excited to be in a position to spot the end of his multi-coloured mixed martial arts rainbow.
“The UFC title means so much to me, simply because the UFC itself was the reason I first got started as a mixed martial artist,” says Daley. “The UFC probably started everyone off. At first, the lure of a cheque was obviously key for me deciding to become a mixed martial artist, but then I just started to love the competition of it and quickly realised I could become good at it.”
Now good enough for the UFC and good enough to blitz top-ranked contenders, Paul Daley’s goal from here on in is to simply become great. With dreams of claiming the UFC title, chances are he’ll need to be.
