Daley Joins Sept. 11 Shark Fights Roster

Paul Daley has been added to the line-up of Shark Fights 13 on Sept. 11 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum in Amarillo, Texas, the promotion confirmed to Sherdog.com on Monday.

An opponent for the heavy-handed British striker is being finalized, said Shark Fights President and Matchmaker Brent Medley. Daley has signed to Shark Fights for one fight, per the promotion’s standard contracts.

Daley was an attraction on the U.K. circuit for years until he was picked up for a co-promoted EliteXC-Strikeforce event in 2007. In 2009, Daley gained notice in the UFC welterweight division with back-to-back knockout wins against Martin Kampmann and Dustin Hazelett. The run earned the 27-year-old fighter a fight with Josh Koscheck at UFC 113 in May for No. 1 contendership and a coaching role on Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter 11.”

Koscheck out-wrestled Daley to a unanimous decision nod. The Nottingham, England, native lost control of his emotions afterward and decked Koscheck after the final bell, to which UFC President Dana White promptly released Daley from his contract. At this time, Daley is still awaiting an official suspension notice from the Quebec Boxing Commission/Montreal Athletic Commission.

However, Medley said he’d spoken with Daley’s attorney, as well as the Texas Combative Sports Program -- which will oversee the Sept. 11 event -- and believed that the fighter’s lingering suspension with the Canadian commission “wouldn’t be a problem.”

"I'm very excited to be fighting in the U.S. again," said Daley in a press release. "Despite my conduct during the Koscheck fight, which I agree is inexcusable; fans in the United States have been very supportive. For that I am very grateful."

Most recently, Daley notched a third-round submission win over Daniel Acacio at Impact Fighting Championship 2 on July 18 in Sydney, Australia.

Shark Fights 13 will be co-headlined by two light heavyweight bouts. In the main event, promotional champion Trevor Prangley will face former UFC staple Keith Jardine, while 2001 U.S. judo champion Rameau Thierry Sokjoudou will meet Nebraskan striker Houston Alexander at second billing.