Paul Daley Says Bellator Is Playing Him For an Idiot

Paul Daley spoke with MMAjunkie for a new interview dicussing his current issues with Bellator, who he has two remaining fights with. Highlights are below:

On hearing that Bellator wanted him to fight Jon Fitch: “I thought, ‘Finally, a fight that makes sense.’”

On his recent issues with Bellator: “I’ve had great times with Bellator. I just don’t like the recent treatment of me. I’ve made it clear, and I will continue to make it clear through all the interviews – at the post-fight, at the pre-fight, during fight week – I ain’t happy with what you guys are doing. I can see through what you guys are doing. They’re playing me for an idiot, and I ain’t an idiot. Let’s just be done with all the bull(expletive). Let me fight, let me go, or you treat me like you want me to be here.”

On lack of communication with Bellator officials: “They don’t address me. I’ve been in this sport for 15 years, and they don’t address me. The only time I speak to Scott Coker is on fight week. I don’t know the reason, but I’m sure other fighters, especially the AKA boys and the Americans, have more of an interaction with him. And there is no U.K. representative for Bellator, so no, there’s no one else for me to speak to. I just think that in itself is a bit disrespectful, that the boss of your promotion doesn’t speak to you but then goes and does an interview and says, ‘Paul says this and Paul says that. We offered Paul this and we offered him that.’ You ain’t offered me (expletive). You ain’t even spoke to me in person, Mr. Coker. So what the (expletive) is that? This is how I feel, and this is the attitude I’m going to take all the way up until fight night and after fight night.”

On planning to finish out his contract with Bellator: “Then I’m done with all of MMA, especially Bellator.”