With Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) seemingly disinterested -- or perhaps just too busy -- the self-proclaimed "best Welterweight in the United Kingdom (U.K.)," Paul Daley, has opted to remain close to home, signing a three-fight contract with BAMMA.
MMAFighting.com shared the news earlier this afternoon, claiming "Semtex" inked a 12-month exclusive deal with the Europe-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion to compete in the U.K., which would seemingly go into effect after his rumored match at November's "Legend 2" event in Russia against an opponent still to be named.
Daley was recently freed from his Bellator contract because of legal troubles and visa issues that prevented him from ever appearing for the organization, which intended to include him in its Welterweight tournament earlier this year. It never came to fruition and, over time, "Semtex" claimed that he Bellator was stalling his career and demanding "booking fees" to appear elsewhere.
When the two parties finally split, Daley made a plea to return to the Octagon, apologizing for the behavior that forced his unceremonious exit back in 2009.
It didn't work.
"I’m extremely happy to sign with a premier European promotion," Daley said in the report. "BAMMA provides exciting match-ups for hardcore fans, with a TV production that appeals to mainstream viewers. I’m aiming to bring my own brand of fight entertainment into households around the world the only way I, Paul 'Semtex' Daley, know how ... knockout victories."
Daley is in the midst of a four-fight win streak, all of which ended early via (technical) knockout. He most recently stopped Lukasz Chlewicki at Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) via first round technical knockout in July 2013.
"Semtex" is no stranger to BAMMA, competing twice for the promotion in 2011, missing weighton both occasions, but scoring victories each time out.