Paul Daley on a potential return: “The money has to be absolutely ridiculous”
- Kieran Cobley
- 15 May 2022
Moments after his “retirement” fight at Bellator 281, UK MMA legend, Paul Daley, revealed what it would take for him to return to the cage.
"Semtex" entered his 64th and final bout at London's Wembley Arena, taking on Wendell Giacomo.
Daley would get his fairytale ending, coming from behind to knock out the Brazilian with a stunning walk-off KO that sent the crowd crazy in the second round.
But after exiting the crowd, Daley revealed he might not be done in the cage after all, with a rematch with Michael "Venom" Page being of interest to him.
"It (the rematch) would have to be for absolutely ridiculous money, at an absolutely ridiculous venue," Daley said when asked by Planet Sport at the post-fight press conference.
"I don't know how long the real champ (Yaroslav Amosov) is going to be out for but that's one of the possible fights I'd be interested in.
"Like I say, the money has to be ridiculous and the build has to be done properly."
Daley first fought Page in 2019, with the fight being one of the biggest in British MMA history.
Fans were shocked when the decision was made for the rivals to fight in the United States and it felt as though their huge matchup was slightly overshadowed by the fact it was in the first round of a Welterweight Grand Prix - rather than marketed as an all-out grudge match.
Interesting, Bellator president, Scott Coker, revealed he didn't think that Daley is done just yet, claiming that the Nottingham based fighter hadn't left his gloves in the cage (a sign that a fighter is stepping away from competing).
"We will talk to Paul (Daley) and if we can create something that is reasonable for everybody then we'll do that fight again" when questioned about a possible MVP vs Daley rematch.
MMA retirements have long been lauded for their shortness, with the likes of Georges St. Pierre and Brock Lesnar returning to MMA after "retiring" and Conor McGregor making several "retirements".
More recently, Daley's former Rough House team-mates, Jim Wallhead and Dan Hardy, returned to the sport. "Judo Jimmy" is fighting in Cage Warriors next month while "The Outlaw" will take to the boxing ring to fight Diego Sanchez.
As it stands, Daley leaves a storied career behind him, with fights in the UFC, Bellator, Strike Force, Cage Warriors and Cage Rage.
In 64 professional outings, Daley racked up 44 wins, with 35 coming by way of knockout.
