Daley's world upside-down

Eurosport - Mon, 05 Oct 09:53:00 2009

Paul Daley says victory on his UFC debut last month has turned his world upside-down.

Paul Daley v Martin Kampmann - 0

The Nottingham-based fighter (pictured) became the first Briton to have a bout shown on national TV when his UFC 103 victory over Martin Kampmann was replayed on Channel Five at the weekend.

And the welterweight said he is desperate to capitalise on his impressive start with another fight before the end of the year.

"Since the fight, it has gone crazy for me," Daley told Eurosport. "I had a following before I got into the UFC, but that was the hardcore MMA fans.

"Now I'm talking to mainstream media and crossover fans of the UFC know me. My life has gone a bit nuts because of that one fight.

"I am back in the gym. I really want to fight again before Christmas. I've already let the UFC know I am ready to fight, on short notice again, whatever.

"Having beat Kampmann, I know I'm going to get hard fights but bring it on. I am working on my weaknesses, working on punching even harder, getting stronger, I will be ready."

Daley took the Kampmann fight on short notice when Mike Swick pulled out through injury, and says he is baffled as to why Swick has since criticised his 22-8 career record in the media.

The UFC have quickly rescheduled Swick and paired him against Daley's Team Rough House team-mate Dan Hardy at UFC 105 in Manchester in November.

And Daley went on to say he hopes - and predicts - his friend will destroy Swick as he continues to make his own waves in the welterweight division.

"I won't be fighting at UFC 105, but I will be there meeting the fans and sitting down with some popcorn to see Dan butcher Swick, Daley added.

"Swick has been bashing me for some reason, I don't know why, ripping on my record and things like that.

"All I did was accept a fight he'd pulled out of but he seems to have a problem with me. He said I am big headed, but I have gone out of my way to be humble in the UFC.

"All I did was accept a fight, tell people I would knock Kampmann out and then go and do exactly that. After the fight I didn't jump around or nothing or shoot my mouth.

"I think Swick is jealous because he pulled out of the Kampmann fight and would never have done that if it were him in there and not me.

"I've got eight losses - so what? I've fought literally twice as many people as he has and I have fought better opposition than he has.

"His best win was against Marcus Davis and Dan beat Marcus much worse than he did with lay and pray.

"Dan is going to get rid of Swick in Manchester next month. You won't hear too much about him after UFC 105."

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport

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