Paul Daley hopes to stick around after Bellator 257, but it needs to make sense

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Paul Daley hopes his fighting career isn’t over, especially after his performance Friday at Bellator 257.

One half of the main-card opener, Daley (43–17–2 MMA, 9-4 BMMA) finished Sabah Homasi with punches in Round 2 after a little over a round of back-and-forth brawling action. The fight took place at 175 pounds, a catchweight Daley hopes Bellator allows him to keep competing at in the future.

“I hope so,” Daley told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “I think tonight was an entertaining fight. I think people loved it. I felt great at the weight, as well. The last fight was at this weight, as well. I think I performed well there. Scott (Coker) is the boss.”

Daley did not rule out that Friday could’ve been his last fight. However, he voiced optimism that he’ll fight again, as long as boxes are checked. A longtime veteran of the sport, Daley would be more willing to fight if there was more respect coming his way – whether that comes in the form of popularity or a lucrative offer.

“That’s another reason I get dejected with the sport,” Daley said. “I’ve fought so many great fights and had so many great finishes, and I just feel like I don’t get the respect I deserve. I’m like, ‘I’m 38 years old. Do I still want to put myself through this and not get the credit for it?’ That’s my attitude. … Give me my respect (and) I’ll stay in the game. I’ll give you a few more years. If you don’t, then I’m gone.”

Following his October weight miss in Italy that resulted in a trip to the hospital, Daley hasn’t been interested in giving welterweight another try. Dollars and cents could twist his arm, though.

“Money can change that real quick,” Daley said. “You pay me more, then I’ll make the weight. Pay me more, I’ll fight at 170 pounds. I’ll have a better camp. I’ll have better people involved.”

Bellator president Scott Coker complimented Daley repeatedly. He even elevated Daley to “legend” status. Despite the dump of praise, Coker diverged from Daley’s sentiments on competing at catchweights rather than welterweight.

“It’s always awkward when the fighter on the podium try to negotiate his next purse with you when you’re sitting there watching him,” Coker said. “I’m sitting there going in my head, ‘Are you going to make weight when we pay you more money?’ I think we pay you pretty well already. You should come and make the weight.

“Listen, Paul can do what he wants to do. If he wants to make a title run, we’re going to open up some doors for him and try to get him to that point. If he wants to have some fights at 175, it’s up to him. Personally, I wish he’d go to 170 and really give it another shot because this guy has power in both hands. He’s fought everybody. He’s never ducked anybody. Any given day, if he punches you, man, it’s over.”