Paul Daley: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com
After knocking out Scott Smith on the main card of Strikeforce’s event Saturday in St. Louis, Paul Daley called out K.J. Noons. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker was expecting him to ask for someone else.
Diaz is the champion of Strikeforce’s 170-pound division, where Daley competes. Noons last fought at 170 but also competes as a lightweight. Coker said he believed Daley wants a fight against Noons to prove he’s the superior striker, and the promoter will consider the matchup. However, Noons is just one option.
“I think Evangelista [‘Cyborg’ Santos] comes to my mind,” Coker said when asked whom Daley could fight next. “I think KJ’s a possibility depending on if KJ wants to continue fighting at 170. I think Nick Diaz, that would be a hell of a fight. I think we have some solid fights for [Daley] up ahead. I think we’re going to keep this guy busy. There’s a fight on January 7 between Tyron [Woodley] and Tarec Saffiedine; maybe the winner of that and Paul could be a possibility.”
Coker noted that the interest level in Daley has been high since his brilliant knockout of Smith.
“That was probably one of the most beautiful left hooks I’ve seen, whether it was boxing or MMA,” Coker said. “He has spectacular speed. He’s just a great fighter and a great puncher obviously.”
The win was Daley’s third straight since he lost a decision to Josh Koscheck in May at UFC 113. UFC President Dana White cut Daley for throwing a punch at Koscheck long after the final bell. Coker does not think the strike was indicative of Daley’s character, though.
“I’m sure Koscheck said a lot of things that got under his skin,” Coker said. “In the heat of battle, boys are going to be boys sometimes. I think it was just an isolated incident. If you look at Paul on Saturday, he did a great job. I didn’t realize what a sense of humor the guy had. He’s a pretty funny guy. He’s very articulate and he can fight a whole bunch. We’re excited the turn of events worked out for us.”
Listen to the full interview (beginning at 20:45) with Coker, who also discussed the status of contract negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko.