Semtex, Who gave you that nickname?

A friend that I used to work with started taking interest in my fights. After watching a few he said I'm explosive etc, etc.... Paul “Explosive” Daley doesn’t sound good, but Paul “Semtex” Daley does!

How long have you been fighting for?

About three years, which includes one year on the amateur and semi pro circuit.

And now you are competing at some very top-level events. You recently fought at Sportfight, what was that was like?

Cool, I got a great reception and everything was done professionally. I can’t wait to go back. Next time I will K.O. some motherf***er!

So then, you must have some more big matches ahead of you, perhaps more fights abroad?

Yes, but they shall be kept secret for now.

You regularly travel to America to train with the American Top Team. What has training with those guys taught you?

How to live and train like a professional, how to follow a professional regime, the importance of team work and commitment. Oh yeah, and how to get beat up on and take it every day.

I also heard you have trained with Eddie Bravo's 'Bomb Squad'. What is a typical training session there like?

No Gi BJJ… then a ‘Ninja Tutorial’.... Then more Jujutsu....A few jokes from Eddie....Yoga… Some Bravo Secret Moves...And then a roll at the end… It's cool!

You train pretty hard. Do you have another job to make ends meet?

Before, no. Now, yes. My sponsorship ran out, so I chose to look for a better deal. Anyone out there that wants to help can get in contact with me at fudoshin_99@yahoo.co.uk

What got you interested in MMA?

I wanted to test my fighting ability and be a true 21st Century Warrior.

What do you think is your strength as a fighter?
 
My strength is my aggression and what I do best is strike.

Another of your strengths seems to be gaining the psychological advantage. How important do you think that is in MMA?

Very! But It can be difficult because everyone is getting more and more well prepared in every part of there game, including the mental side. The best way to get at your opponent is to keep winning and performing against top guys in scary murderous fashion.

There was no where that this psychological warfare was more apparent than in the run up to your FX3 bout with Sami Berik. You guys had a very public war of words on the Internet. Is everything cool between you and Sami now?

Yeah, pretty much... I whopped his ass like I said I would. He got his ass whooped like everyone, except his little brother, said he would. Were cool... (laughs)

Is there anyone else, on the UK circuit, that is on you hit list?

No one. I've fought 99% of the top guys in the UK and beat them, or had very controversial draws.

Anyone of those guys that you would like a rematch with?

Abdul Mohammed, Pat Healy, Paul Jenkins...Yeah that’s about it.

Is it true you will be cutting from Welterweight to Lightweight? If so, it will be quite a considerable drop considering you used to fight at Middleweight.

Well I aint got to Lightweight yet, so I don’t know. Getting to Welterweight was pretty easy, it was just a question of diet and educating myself in cutting weight.

What is your perspective on the close relationship developing between Cage Rage and Pride?

It's all good. Pride has always been my goal. I was fighting in Cage Rage to get to Pride anyway. Now, since Cage Rage has become one of their official feeder shows, it just makes it all a little bit easier.
 

Finally, What is your favourite fighting memory?

Tough one....I dunno. I love to fight so they are all good memories... favourite? Ummmm...one time outside this club in Nottingham...Urghhhh Better not. (laughs)

(laughs) Thanks for your time Paul.



Images:

Main Title Image: www.Shootersmma.com
1 + 2: The Paul Daley Vs Sami Berik (Grudge Match) at FX3: X-Plosion © Bob Swann
3 + 4: Paul Daley and Peter Angerer go head to head for the FX3 Welterweight Title at FX3: Battle of Britian