Strikeforce contender Daley wary of new bosses after UFC ban

SAN DIEGO -- While most fighters on the Strikeforce roster sound thrilled to be a part of the Zuffa family, at least one top contender is still quite wary of the new bosses.

In fact, Paul Daley considered dropping out of a title fight rather than compete for the company that once banned him.

"I was actually a bit hotheaded at the time; I'm that kind of character," he said. "It was a serious consideration, but when I looked at it with a clear mind, I realized I'd be stupid to turn it down."

Daley will fight welterweight champion Nick Diaz on Saturday night at Valley View Casino Center in the first major Strikeforce card under the ownership of Zuffa, the Las Vegas-based parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Daley is no stranger to the new bosses. He was released from the UFC for striking Josh Koscheck well after the final bell of a May 2010 bout won by Koscheck.

UFC president Dana White has said Daley will never fight in the UFC again, but the British striker's contract was part of the purchase of Strikeforce.

Daley lamented the lack of options for fighters now that the UFC owns so much of the major professional mixed martial arts market.

"The way I saw it, Strikeforce was the biggest competition to the UFC," Daley said. "I kind of thrived in knowing I was the rival to the UFC. That's what was driving me. I was in competition with them directly by being in Strikeforce."

He is 4-0 since the incident, which he has apologized for several times, and is coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts. He would like to do the same against Diaz, who has won his past nine fights.

"The most important thing is winning this fight and winning it in style and becoming Strikeforce champion," Daley said. "Whatever happens after that, we'll work out. Whether I'm fighting guys that come from the UFC to Strikeforce, or whether Dana swallows his pride and has me come over to the UFC and fight, we'll see what happens."

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker hasn't been spared from Daley's wrath. The fighter said Coker "sold out" when he allowed Zuffa to buy Strikeforce.

Coker knows Daley is frustrated but told the fighter it's time to let it go.

"He obviously has a problem with Dana, but he is welcome to fight here in Strikeforce," said Coker, who was retained by Zuffa. "He could be our champion after Saturday night. My thing that I said to Paul is 'I think you're a great fighter and a champion in your own right, but the purchase happened, so let's just move on and try to work together.' "

With so much attention on the guys in charge, a potential war of words between two of the sport's best trash-talkers never really materialized. Daley and Diaz have taken minor jabs at each other, but nothing near the level that was expected.

"I just haven't really had anything to say," Diaz said.

The champion will look to use an endless onslaught of pestering jabs to prevent Daley from landing his vaunted left hook. Diaz is also a jiu-jitsu ace and will be far more comfortable if the fight hits the ground.

The bout is one of two title fights on the card, which will air tape delayed on Showtime (Cable 240) on Saturday night. Gilbert Melendez will defend the lightweight belt against Tatsuya Kawajiri.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.