Tag: Paul Daley

Paul Daley off Gamebred Boxing 4 due to visa issues, says Jorge Masvidal

Joe Riggs will step in for Paul Daley, per Gamebred Boxing.

Gamebred Boxing 4 features numerous names notable to MMA fans, but [autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] is no longer one of them.

Gamebred Boxing boss and UFC star [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] recently revealed on MMA Junkie Radio that Daley’s boxing debut is off (or at least delayed) as work papers are figured out.

Daley was expected to fight fellow UFC alum [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag] in a six-round bout at the April 1 event, which takes place at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee and streams on UFC Fight Pass pay-per-view.

Perez will now face former UFC and BKFC fighter [autotag]Joe Riggs[/autotag].

“Paul Daley is not on the card, and that’s because we had visa issues with the timing and stuff,” Masvidal said. “Paul Daley can have a visa to come here, but every time you’re working for a new company, like XYZ company. Now he’s going to fight for a new company, so we’d have to get him a visa. We weren’t able to quite figure that out, but that’s somebody we’re very, very interested in and will push hard to have on our cards. I’ve always liked Daley’s style. I actually got to compete against him myself, so it’d be fun.”

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Daley, 40, retired from MMA in May 2022 after he brutally knocked out Wendell Giacomo at Bellator 281 in front of a home country crowd in London.

Even with Daley’s absence, Gamebred Boxing 4 has a plethora of MMA notables. Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis faces boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. in the main event. Former UFC champions Jose Aldo and Vitor Belfort, as well as Ronaldo Souza, Jeremy Stephens, and Pearl Gonzalez are also on the card.

The up-to-date Gamebred Boxing 4 card includes:

  • Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anthony Pettis
  • Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina Mazany
  • Markus Perez vs. Joe Riggs
  • Dillon Cleckler vs. Josh Burns
  • Devin Cushing vs. Damian Marciano
  • Andy Nguyen vs. Bi Nguyen
  • Clarence Booth vs. Luis Feliciano
  • Danielle Cohen vs. Danielle Wynn
  • Roberto Armas vs. Javier Zamarron
  • Cade Howell vs. Devante Sewell

 

Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr., Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens headline Gamebred Boxing 4 on April 1

Gamebred Boxing 4 to feature Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr., Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens, and many more former UFC fighters.

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] fighting a legend in his next outing, but not in MMA.

The former UFC and WEC lightweight champion is scheduled to take on former boxing champion [autotag]Roy Jones Jr.[/autotag] in the main event of Gamebred Boxing 4 on April 1 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The event will stream on pay-per-view on UFC Fight Pass.

UFC star [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag], owner of Gamebred Boxing, announced the news Monday, revealing the event and full fight card on The MMA Hour.

Pettis has no history of competing in professional boxing. He was last seen in the MMA world in August, when he lost a unanimous decision to Stevie Ray in the 2022 PFL lightweight semifinals.

On the other hand, Jones Jr. will be competing in his first fight since boxing Mike Tyson in an exhibition bout back in November 2020. The two fought to a draw. Jones Jr., 54, has a professional boxing record of 66-9. He held championships in four different weight classes, including titles at middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight. Jones Jr. also won a silver medal in boxing at the 1988 Olympics.

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In the co-main event of the card, former UFC and WEC featherweight champion [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] will take on former foe [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag].

The rest of the card is compiled of many other former UFC fighters as [autotag]Vitor Belfort[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Ronaldo Souza[/autotag], [autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] fights [autotag]Anthony Taylor[/autotag], and  [autotag]Pearl Gonzalez[/autotag] meets [autotag]Gina Mazany[/autotag].

Below are all the matchups announced for Gamebred Boxing 4:

  • Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr.
  • Jose Aldo vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo Souza
  • Paul Daley vs. Anthony Taylor
  • Pearl Gonzalez vs. Gina Mazany
  • Dillon Cleckler vs. Josh Burns
  • Devin Cushing vs. Damian Marciano

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Farewell, fighters: A list of former UFC champs and more MMA notables who retired in 2022

The MMA world said goodbye to more than 35 notable fighters in 2022, from former UFC champions to future UFC Hall of Famers and more.

MMA is a constantly evolving sport with a revolving door of athletes entering and exiting. Currently fighters from the era that helped make the sport so popular are beginning to trickle away from competition and hang up their gloves to move on to the next chapters in their lives.

If there’s one thing that’s well known about combat sports retirements, though, it’s that they often don’t last long. The urge to compete and, perhaps more importantly, get a payday will continue to drive fighters back, even well beyond their expiration dates.

In 2022, there was an uptick in notable fighters announcing they are retired, and we have a list of those who opted to walk away last year.

Paul Daley reflects on comeback knockout of Wendell Giacomo at Bellator 281: ‘I never felt in danger’

Paul Daley may have been down as Round 2 was coming to a close at Bellator 281, but he remained patient.

LONDON – [autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] may have been down as Round 2 was coming to a close at Bellator 281, but he remained patient.

Daley (44-18-2 MMA, 9-6 BMMA) had his back taken by Wendell Giacomo in Round 1 of their main card bout Friday at OVO Arena Wembley in London and found himself on the mat once more in Round 2.

But with a minute left in the second round, Daley decided he had enough and was able to disengage from Giacomo, who was visibly starting to slow down. Daley fully capitalized and unleashed a flurry which resulted in a brutal walk-off right hook knockout, sending the fans into a frenzy.

Despite the rollercoaster of emotions from the fans as they witnessed him compete for the last time, Daley was not going to accept anything but a monumental send-off.

“I was comfortable, I never felt in danger,” Daley told MMA Junkie post-fight at Bellator 281. “At one stage the crowd in the second the crowd went silent when his hand went under my chin and I was like, ‘I’m cool people, just chill,’ and then I got up and managed to reverse position, but I didn’t feel in danger.

“I could feel he was tiring, I was just sort of like biding my time. It does get frustrating because you can hear the crowd, ‘Get up, get up.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah I’m f*cking trying to get up,’ but yeah I was just biding my time, I got up and reversed position and got the job done.”

Daley was extremely emotional after the finish and to make the walk for the final time in front of his home crowd capped off an incredible career for the British MMA pioneer.

“I just want to be remembered for moments like this, getting the crowd off their feet, knocking someone out and giving people when they leave here and go back home, they’ve got talking points and I can guarantee you that’s gonna be one of the talking points and that’s what it’s about. We’re entertainers, I’ve entertained, they’ve got good memories, and I’m happy.”

He continued, “I didn’t think I was going to make it to the cage, but in my head I thought I was gonna break down before I even got in the cage so I’m quite happy I made it to the cage to actually compete without crying so yeah it was always gonna happen. I’ve had a long career and I’ve had some spectacular moments and it was a great way to end it.”

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Bellator 281: Best photos from London

Check out these photos from Bellator 281 which took place at SSE Arena in London.

Check out these photos from Bellator 281 which took place at SEE Arena in London. (Photos courtesy of Bellator MMA)

Bellator 281 results: Paul Daley caps off MMA career with dynamite comeback one-punch KO of Wendell Giacomo

Watch Paul Daley land a one-punch knockout on Wendell Giocomo and send London into a frenzy.

It would’ve been hard for [autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] to pull off a more vintage performance than his Bellator 281 swan song Friday in London.

In the declared final bout of his mixed martial arts career, Daley (44-18-2 MMA, 9-6 BMMA) rallied to land a violent one-punch knockout of gritty Brazilian debutant [autotag]Wendell Giacomo[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 0-1 BMMA). The walk-off stoppage came at 4:09 of Round 2 and was the 35th knockout win of Daley’s career.

The highlight didn’t come easy, something Daley became accustomed to over the span of his 20-year professional MMA career. For the majority of the first nine minutes of the fight, Daley was controlled, particularly in the grappling department. Giacomo displayed great strength and technique, until Daley saw an opportunity to explode upward.

Once there, Daley hurled classic haymakers at the overwhelmed Brazilian. A left hook to the body was followed by a lights-out overhand right. The punch that connected on the head was all he needed. It connected and Giocomo face-planted to the canvas.

O2 Arena exploded into pandemonium as the “Daley, Daley, Daley” chants sounded loud and clear. Daley walked to the center of the cage and collapsed, overwhelmed with emotion. Daley was greeted in the cage by his mother and his partner, who joined in the celebration.

Daley, 39, declared Friday’s bout his final fight. A competitor for two decades, Daley competed for the UFC, Strikeforce, Bellator, Cage Warriors, Elite XC, BAMMA, and more. His scrap against Nick Diaz is widely regarded as one of the best one-round title fights in MMA history. His 202 bout against Sabah Homasi also received Fight of the Year candidacy from some. Other notable career wins include Jorge Masvidal, Martin Kampmann, Duane Ludwig, and Lorenz Larkin.

From 2009-2010, Daley competed three times under the UFC banner and went 2-1. However, he was banned from the promotion after he struck Josh Koscheck following the conclusion of their 2010 bout.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 281 results include:

  • Paul Daley def. Wendell Giacomo via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 4:09
  • Simon Biyong def. Luke Trainer via unanimous decision (29-27, 28-27, 29-28)
  • Daniel Weichel def. Robert Whiteford via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:12
  • Elina Kallionidou def. Kate Jackson via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:53
  • Oliver Enkamp def. Mark Lemminger via submission (buggy choke) – Round 3, 0:25
  • Alfie Davis vs Tim Wilde ends in a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
  • Andrew Fisher def. Attila Korkma via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Charlie Ward def. Alan Carlos via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
  • Maciej Rozanski def. Lee Chadwick via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Chiara Penco def. Lanchana Green via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

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Twitter reacts to Paul Daley’s incredible knockout in retirement fight at Bellator 281

Check out the reaction to Paul “Semtex” Daley’s knockout of Wendell Giacomo at Bellator 281.

[autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] may be walking away from the sport, but he couldn’t do it without adding one more highlight to his reel on home soil.

At Bellator 281 in London, “Semtex” detonated one last time with a crushing right hand to the jaw of Wendell Giacomo to cap off his exciting MMA career. It wasn’t an easy path to the final blow, but Daley overcame the grappling prowess of Giacomo to connect in a flurry, ending the fight at 4:09 in the second round.

Daley celebrated the win inside the cage with his family, as he walks away from the sport after recording his 44th professional MMA victory.

Check out the reactions on social media to Daley’s curtain call below.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past two weeks (April 18-May 1)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past two weeks.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from April 18-May 1.

With Andrey Koreshkov out, Paul Daley gets new opponent for Bellator 281 in London

Paul Daley will get a new opponent for his final walk to the cage.

[autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] will get a new opponent for his final walk to the cage.

Former welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov has been forced out of Bellator 281 in London, and [autotag]Wendell Giacomo[/autotag] will step in on short notice to face Daley on May 13 at OVO Arena Wembley, promotion officials announced Tuesday.

Giacomo (9-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), a Pitbull Brothers fighter, has won eight of his past nine fights. He was last seen in action as an alternate for the LFA welterweight grand prix, where the Brazilian defeated Uyran Carlos by unanimous decision in July but couldn’t continue in the tournament after he wasn’t cleared to compete.

Meanwhile, Daley (43-18-2 MMA, 9-5 BMMA) will have his projected retirement fight on home soil. The 39-year-old veteran is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jason Jackson at Bellator 260 in what was his third straight catchweight bout at 175 pounds. Prior to that, the hard-hitting Brit scored wins over Erick Silva, Saad Awad, and Sabah Homasi.

With the change, the Bellator 281 lineup includes:

  • Michael Page vs. Logan Storley – for interim welterweight title
  • Fabian Edwards vs. Lyoto Machida
  • Denise Kielholtz vs. Kana Watanabe
  • Paul Daley vs. Wendell Giacomo
  • Daniel Weichel vs. Robert Whiteford
  • Alan Carlos vs. Charlie Ward
  • Simon Biyong vs. Luke Trainer
  • Alfie Davis vs. Tim Wilde
  • Kate Jackson vs. Elina Kallionidou
  • Oliver Enkamp vs. Mark Lemminger
  • Lanchana Green vs. Chiara Penco
  • Lee Chadwick vs. Maciej Rozanski
  • Andrew Fisher vs. Attila Korkmaz
  • Arunas Andriuskevicus vs. David Trallero

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Bellator targets Paul Daley retirement fight vs. Andrey Koreshkov in London

Paul Daley has one left in the tank – and it looks like Andrey Koreshkov is his man.

[autotag]Paul Daley[/autotag] made it known he only has one more fight left in the tank.

Unenthused about originally-offered opponents, Daley (43-18-2 MMA, 9-5 BMMA) is now targeted to face a veteran in former Bellator welterweight champion [autotag]Andrey Koreshkov[/autotag] (25-4 MMA, 15-4 BMMA), a promotion official Monday confirmed to MMA Junkie after an initial report by reporter Michael Morgan on Twitter. The welterweight bout is slated for May 13 at Bellator London, which takes place at OVO Arena Wembley.

Daley, 39, has been with Bellator for the past seven years. His losses in the promotion have been to Bellator’s elite-level welterweights: former Bellator champions Douglas Lima and Rory MacDonald, former WSOF champ Jon Fitch and upcoming Bellator title challenger Michael Page, as well as Jason Jackson.

He’ll be 39 when he steps in the cage for the last time and said his retirement was supposed to be sooner.

“I’ve been planning for it for a long time,” Daley said. “I’ve had a lot of fights. Bellator has treated me well while I’ve been there, and I always knew it was going to be my last promotion. I’ve put things in place so that when I do call it a day, I can do so comfortably.”

As for Koreshkov, he competed Saturday at Bellator 274 when he ran through former UFC fighter Chance Rencountre. The win came 38 seconds into Round 1 via a spinning back kick to the body that punctured Rencountre’s lung and broke five ribs.

With the addition, the Bellator London lineup includes:

  • Champ Yaroslav Amosov vs. Michael Page
  • Jason Jackson vs. Douglas Lima
  • Paul Daley vs. Andrey Koreshkov
  • Denise Kielholtz vs. Kana Watanabe
  • Simon Biyong vs. Luke Trainer
  • Fabian Edwards vs. Lyoto Machida
  • Daniel Weichel vs. Robert Whiteford
  • Alfie Davis vs. Tim Wilde
  • Kate Jackson vs. Elina Kallionidou

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