BloodyElbow.com Exclusive: "Semtex" Talks Career Status

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 9, 2008 10:22 AM EDT in MMA News

Few stories this year have been as confusing and in a constant state of change as the status of Paul "Semtex" Daley's career. Luckily I was able to get in touch with Paul and get a statement from him as to the status of his career.

February 26 - Daley confirmed his intentions to retire following his March 29 bout for EliteXC via the Cage Warriors official message board.
March 10 - It was confirmed that Daley was off the March 29 card.
March 19 - News came out that Daley was going to defend his Cage Rage Welterweight Championship.
April 8 - The Cage Rage website announced that Daley was vacating his title.

Cage Rage's website still lists him as fighting on the next event though. So rather than allow the confusion to continue, I reached out to get the Mr. Daley's career status from the man himself:

The status of my retirement is hard to define due to unforeseen developments in my current contract with Pro Elite.

I am NOT fighting on the Cage Rage may card.

However i do still have one more fight to complete on my contract as it stands. After this is completed is when we'll know further as to if, when and where I'll fight again.

sometimes you run a race to fast, and leave your true self, true spirit and true mind, behind. You achieve the goal in winning the 1st leg of the race, but your empty when you get there. You must give time for the rest of you too catch up. Understand?

And yes, I certainly do understand the idea of too much too fast. For reasons that are purely the selfish fight fan in myself I do hope we see him fighting for many years to come. That being said, Daley is only 24 years old and taking a little time away from the sport could be good for him and his mental state. But the language in his statement certainly doesn't sound like he is closing the door on anything. It sounds like more of a "wait and see" situation than anything.

The one thing I can say with certainty is that myself and the rest of the Bloody Elbow staff wish Paul Daley the best wherever his life may take him.

Tweet Comment 3 comments | 0 recs |