Paul Daley’s Relationship with Bellator MMA Continues to Deteriorate

Paul Daley is set to take on Jon Fitch Saturday night in a co-main event bout at Bellator 199. Fitch will be making his debut under the Bellator umbrella, whereas Daley heads into his ninth bout with the organization.

It may well be Daley’s last fight with Bellator MMA as there’s been a lot of friction between himself with the promotion and its president, Scott Coker. He’s accused the organization in the past for not properly utilizing his services and stating that he would leave the company after his current contract was up. He’s also blamed Coker of being bitter towards him when he did not take the fight against Michael Page.

Daley recently talked with MMAJunkie.com and said he doesn’t feel valued anymore by Bellator MMA:

“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 bullsh*t. Let me fight, let me go, or you treat me like you want me to be here.”

Daley (40-15, 2 NC) is coming off a second-round knockout against the dangerous Lorenz Larkin last September. Prior to that fight he had gone 1-2 in his last three outings, with losses against Rory MacDonald (submission) and Douglas Lima (unanimous decision).

Bellator 199 takes place inside the SAP Center in San Jose, California. It will be headlined with a Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix matchup between Ryan Bader and Muhammed Lawal.