In an evening filled with exciting fights and interesting upsets (sucks to be Canadian, eh?), one particular display of apparent classlessness had left the UFC President, Dana White, extremely disappointed and disgusted.
And no, I’m not talking about Josh Koscheck’s first round “Montreal Canadiens” impression, where he turtled-up and played “injured” after an apparent missed knee by Daley.
[WHISTLE]
“Two minutes for diving!”
I am referring of course, to the end of this fight where a visibly frustrated Paul “Semtex” Daley made a grave error in judgement by striking Koscheck in the face several seconds after the match had already ended.
[WHISTLE]
“Two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct!”
If anything, I had expected that the UFC would set a badly-needed precedent and issue a very heavy fine to Daley, especially when you consider how outspoken Dana White was against Strikeforce for the post-fight brawl that had occurred on CBS a few weeks back.
Way to go Dana. Way to paint yourself into a corner.
What I didn’t expect however, was that the UFC would release one of their hottest, and most exciting prospects—for good.
“He’s done,” White said. “I don’t care if he’s the best 170 pound guy in the world. He’ll never come back here again. He will never fight in the UFC again. Done.”
Wow, if Dana White was that upset, then I can only imagine that Koscheck must have been absolutely furious!
Right?
“I hope the best for Paul Daley,” Koscheck said. “I don’t dislike him. I dislike how he acted but I don’t dislike him and I hope the UFC will give him another chance.”
Hmmm…I hope that Koscheck isn’t just saying that because he’s somehow feeling guilty for his actions in the first round. Actions that potentially could have contributed to Daley’s complete lack of sportsmanship and self-control after the fight.
The responsibility obviously rests with Daley and he must be held accountable for his actions. There’s no disputing that much at least.
But even Koscheck must be able to understand that he is at least partially to blame for what had happened.
Daley is (or rather…was) without question one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC today.
Daley’s actions were over the line—yes, but Kos kinda deserved it.
Sorry…but that’s what you get for being a jerk.
I say, call it even and move on. I’ve seen much worse in just about any given hockey game.
[WHISTLE]
“Two minutes for roughing!”
Then again, Dana White doesn’t want to appear to be a hypocrite, does he?
He’d gladly settle for just being a liar (Liddell-Ortiz anyone?).
This was Daley’s Facebook message to his fans:
“Sorry folks, got out wrestled (took a lot out of me, my arms were full of lactic acid, at the start of the 2nd). I lost, but I wasn’t submitted or knocked out….not a mark on me….so I just dust myself off, and it’s on to the next one……..thanks for the support, love you all. See u back in the UK.”
I somehow imagine that Scott Coker was drawing up the paperwork to sign Daley faster than I could write this article.
See you in Strikeforce, Paul.
Be careful what you wish for Dana, you just might get it.
Go Leafs!
.
Blah, blah, blah…something about if you don’t like my opinions, I have others…
Check please: www.mrjamesryan.com
Great Read and agreed…. That's twice Kos (Anthony Johnson fight) has pulled his acting display after a grazed knee that seems to have just caused some skin on skin burn to his head. Time to see GSP out wrestle Kos again.
i agree, a heavy fine and suspension, which is worse , he can now emmidetaly jump to another org were he will be fighting real soon, but did Dana have any other choice? uhmmmmmmmmmmmm?
I agree about Dana painting himself into a corner!
great article!
I thought I was watching a soccer match the way Kos dove inside the cage. Just sad.
Did you not see the pre fight Sh*t talkin that daley was doin Josh is A division 1 wrestling Champ of course his gonna wrestle. Daley didnt live up to his word and got out Wrestled by Josh. And what he did after was uncalled for he was just upset. and as far as acting goes. well everyone acts in sports no matter what is it. i didnt liked it. but what happened after fight was uncalled for. Dont Agree With Article.
Hey Robert, I appreciate the comment.
What really bugs me is that Koscheck knew that he had the fight in hand and yet that didn't stop him from chirping in Daley's ear in the dying minutes/seconds of the fight. They were both acting immaturely, so the entire blame cannot be placed solely onto Daley.
Georges St-Pierre for example, would never taunt his beaten opponent like that. Not ever.
I'm not excusing Daley. I just don't think that the punishment fits the crime. Had Kos been injured (which he wasn't) then maybe it might be justified.
A fine and suspension would have been better than a complete bansihment.
Still though, I watched the post fight Fanhouse video with Dana and it sounded like he was more upset with Daley for his “who cares” attitude afterwards. I think Dana just felt personally disrespected and even suggested that if Daley's attitude had been a bit different, he wouldn't have cut him.
Cheers my friend.
Daley is a tool, Kos is too. Kos is a puss for faking. All the Kos fans out ther cant be proud of that. Neither one of u. That was the only time daley had any advantage really and Kos faked his way out of that one. I dont mind watching wrestlers i just wish they wouldnt give them so much rope to just lay on top and rest and barely do anything. Kos controlled the whole fight no doubting that but he could have and should have been forced to do a lot more. In the end cutting Daley is an over reaction, a fine wouldnt have been. Dana is a god tho and can do or say whatever he wants just ask him. If Daley won that fight how does he get a title shot before fitch or Paulo Thiago? I realize fitch already had one but is has been awhile.
I actually like Daley as a fighter, and I think Kos can be a douche…but really when the fight is over, there is no room for that stuff. I hope Daley gets his mind right, and is able to fight his way back in the UFC (if that's what he wants).
I think your whole article would be different if you sub Tito in for Daley.
I'm surprised that you don't think Daley deserved what he got, given how much you seem to write about sportsmanship and respect, and be a role model for youth.
Well I do think at the very least, Daley should have been fined and/or suspended. Maybe he should have been ejected permanently although that seems a tad bit harsh to me (first offense). I agree that this type of behaviour should not be tolerated.
What I don't think should be happening however, is that MMA continuously gets held to a double standard against other sports. Like I stated, in hockey, this would have resulted in nothing. How is that fair?
[...] In case you didn’t already know, Paul “Semtex” Daley had a crucial decision to make at UFC 113 and not very much time to make [...]