Win or lose, Paul Daley appears to have a little more left in the tank. Ahead of Bellator 260 this Friday night, Daley (43-17-2) downplayed recent talk of retirement.
“I think you’ll see me again,” Daley said during the Bellator 260 media day on Wednesday. “I will defend the 175lb belt on Friday, I will beat Jason Jackson, and then we’ll see what Bellator has to offer me.”
Of course, there’s no actual 175lb title in Bellator. Daley, however, has been fighting at catchweights of late, and seems to have found his groove. In the meantime, a quick turnaround had his spirits up, and was another factor in the decision to soldier on.
“The fact that I’m in here so quickly did help with the decision to continue in the sport of mixed martial arts. I’m happy I made the decision,” said Daley. “My ability, and where I’m at as far as my mental game and my preparation and everything, I’m just too good to move on.”
“Semtex” takes on Jason Jackson this Friday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. “I’ve been matched with him before previously,” Daley noted Wednesday. Meaning his opponent has already been scouted.
“I know about Jason Jackson, and he’s a great guy. A good fighter. Well-rounded, comes from a good team. Nice clean straight punches. Athletic. He’s a decent fighter, and he’s very much improved,” Daley stated in way of a breakdown.
At the same time, there is no worry on Daley’s part in regards to the outcome of the fight, despite Jackson’s recent string of successes. “Not at all, because none of the guys have been anywhere near my ability nor my experience at a high level,” explained Daley. “He’s bagged some good wins from the current crop of Bellator fighters and up-and-comers, but apart from Benson Henderson, he’s only fought up-and-comers if I’m correct. He’s not fought a guy like me before. And even in those fights, he’s winning by decision, split decisions. I’m not taking away from those results and how he’s won the fights, because he’s won the fights, but he hasn’t fought a guy like me.”
Watch the full Bellator 260 media day interview with Paul Daley above. The “175lb champ” throws down with Jason Jackson this Friday, June 11 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
