Bellator President Scott Coker said his highly publicized meeting with Paul Daley was “fantastic,” and the two are now working on a new deal via his management.
Coker aims to sign Daley (40-16-2 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) to a new deal and added he’d like the veteran welterweight for as many as six fights.
“Paul’s a fighter that I’ve always believed in, and he’s always delivered,” Coker today told MMAjunkie. “That’s the kind of fighter that will be welcome on Bellator’s roster any time.”
Until very recently, it looked like Daley wanted to be on any other roster than the Viacom-owned promotion. The British slugger railed against Bellator in several interviews, leading to a back-and-forth in the media.
In January, Daley asked to be released from his contract with the promotion. When the request was denied, he contemplated taking a break from the sport after finishing out his career after fulfilling two remaining bouts on his deal.
After a lopsided loss to Jon Fitch at Bellator 199 that saw him go on a bizarre in-cage rant against the promotion, Daley said he was “done” after one more fight.
But Coker vowed to patch things up, and he said the two cleared the air with a meeting in London after Bellator 200.
The promoter said much of the conversation revolved around lines of communication. Daley had complained about being unaware of Bellator’s plans for his career, so Coker asked the fighter to call him directly with any issues or problems.
Coker said Daley eventually apologized for his words and said his outbursts were motivated by the desire to stay busier in his career, adding kickboxing bouts to those in the cage.
“I said let me talk to (your manager), and let’s get on the same page,” Coker said. “Let’s work it out. That’s where we left it.”
After positive meeting, Bellator boss Scott Coker negotiating new deal with Paul Daley
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