But given the new reality of MMA, with Zuffa owning both of the sport's largest companies, there seems to be a lot more at stake with winning and losing. Because of it, Daley wonders if Diaz will become more conservative, afraid to squander the potential opportunities that could be coming his way.
What makes him think that? For one, he finds it a little curious that Diaz and his camp have been fairly quiet in the leadup to this fight.
"What that tells me is that they're going to fight to a game plan," he said. "They're not going to fight the way Nick usually fights, which is on emotion. He probably told Nick I'm going to try to draw him into a standup battle, and not to do that, because the likelihood is, you will get knocked out no matter how good your chin is. The fact that they're being quiet, it tells me they're a little bit nervous."
Daley says he expects Diaz to try to take him down, but that he'll have no choice but to stand with him and "throw his pitter-patter shots."
Still, he's not expecting it to be easy by any means. In fact, while most fighters as a matter of routine suggest that every camp is the best of their career, Daley bluntly admits that his prep time for this fight was not ideal. He only had six weeks from his last fight -- a first-round KO of Yuya Shirai in Manchester, England -- until Saturday. For a fight of this magnitude, he would have preferred an 8-12 week camp, but the timeline for a title fight was moved up when Strikeforce postponed the second round of the Heavyweight World Grand Prix. That made it difficult to taper his conditioning and have himself in optimal shape. It is not, however, something Daley is totally unfamiliar with; this is his 7th fight in the last 15 months.
He also has suspicions that maybe, just maybe, Strikeforce isn't so concerned about what's in his best interest.
"I think the Strikeforce people are very smart in how they offer these fights," he said. "I don't think they want to give me time to prepare for Nick Diaz. I have the name but they want to try to limit my chances as much as possible, flying me out of the country late, sort of backing me into a corner to take the fight. First they wanted me to take in January, and I said no coming straight off the Scott Smith fight. I think they don't want me to get my stride and prepare for Diaz, is what I feel. But I'm taking the fight, and I'm confident."
dude lives in his own world
OU Administrator
Favorite Fighter(s) : Diaz Bros, Wandy, Ace, Hendo, JDS, Lima Bros,Uncle Creepy, long live Iceman Posts : 43280 Join date : 2009-07-15 Age : 38 Location : Lawton, Oklahoma
LOL what a dumbass. If he was really that concerned he could have cancelled that BAMMA fight, he knew enough in advance. Going to be sweet watching Nick fuck him up.
Wolfgangsta Platinum Belt
Favorite Fighter(s) : Conor McGregor, Machida, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey Posts : 18955 Join date : 2009-07-15 Location : USA
He could have a point. Diaz is popular enough he is all over the UFC.com home page right now. Daley is "damaged goods". But more than likely simply the shuffling around the GP is what caused the time to be slightly shorter. Diaz armbar r 2
SOKO Black Belt
Favorite Fighter(s) : The Dragon, Kenflo, Hendo, Guida, Ace, Wand, Cain, Carwin, Foreman, Evander, Oscar Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-07-16 Age : 43 Location : atlanta
hope dana fires daley right after this fight or doesnt sign his paycheck either way haha
LA Platinum Belt
Favorite Fighter(s) : Lyoto Machida, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo Posts : 15046 Join date : 2009-07-15 Age : 37 Location : Boston, Mass and Los Angeles, California
1) acting like you're going to pull out of a fight because Zuffa bought SF 2) Giving interviews talking about how you aren't a company man and talking shit like they are setting you up to lose
This coming from a guy that sucker punched someone after the bell and has missed weight 83 times. What a headcase
LA Platinum Belt
Favorite Fighter(s) : Lyoto Machida, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo Posts : 15046 Join date : 2009-07-15 Age : 37 Location : Boston, Mass and Los Angeles, California
I'll agree that Paul isn't the most sharpest knife in the drawer but he does have a valid reason to be nervous about Zuffa buying Strikeforce.
Did he really have to take that BAMMA fight? He knew far enough in advance. I put that on him 100%.
Paul wanted to treat his British fans, I can't blame him for that, after all he's fought abroad seven times since 09.
Well you can't bitch about the turn around when you knew far enough in advance. Good for him if he wanted to treat the British fans. But you can't turn around and use that as an excuse. It just doesn't work.
I'll agree that Paul isn't the most sharpest knife in the drawer but he does have a valid reason to be nervous about Zuffa buying Strikeforce.
Did he really have to take that BAMMA fight? He knew far enough in advance. I put that on him 100%.
Paul wanted to treat his British fans, I can't blame him for that, after all he's fought abroad seven times since 09.
Well you can't bitch about the turn around when you knew far enough in advance. Good for him if he wanted to treat the British fans. But you can't turn around and use that as an excuse. It just doesn't work.
Maybe when Paul agreed to do the BAMMA card he thought the Diaz fight would be later, wasn't the GP originally scheduled for this date ?
OU Administrator
Favorite Fighter(s) : Diaz Bros, Wandy, Ace, Hendo, JDS, Lima Bros,Uncle Creepy, long live Iceman Posts : 43280 Join date : 2009-07-15 Age : 38 Location : Lawton, Oklahoma
He could have pulled out, he knew plenty of time in advance. He made the choice to fight BAMMA. Now he is putting the blame on SF for a choice he made. He had the option of dropping that fight. I understand why he didn't, but you can't turn around and want sympathy for your decision.
LA Platinum Belt
Favorite Fighter(s) : Lyoto Machida, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo Posts : 15046 Join date : 2009-07-15 Age : 37 Location : Boston, Mass and Los Angeles, California
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