Paul “Semtex” Daley – Affliction Trilogy

By Dave Carpinello

On Saturday August 1st, Affliction presents their third with “Trilogy”. British welterweight Paul “Semtex” Daley will be facing Jay Hieron on the pay-per-view portion of the event. Semtex recently took some time to talk with PDG about his upcoming fight.

PDG:  How is training going leading up to your fight?

Paul Daley: Training has been great for this fight, I had a good camp and I’m real focused.


PDG:  What do you think of your opponent, Jay Hieron?

Paul Daley: He is a great fighter, Dangerous everywhere and so it’s going to be a real tough fight.

PDG: What has been your training schedule like leading up to this fight?

Paul Daley: I have split my time between here in the United Kingdom and Holland. I trained very hard in all areas of mixed martial arts while I was here in the UK and then I focused on my stand up and conditioning training in Holland.


PDG: Do you see any advantages for yourself going into this fight?

Paul Daley: I think Jay and I match up pretty well, obviously I have the higher KO/TKO count, so some may say I have the edge on the feet.


PDG: Affliction Trilogy is a stacked card; what other fights are you looking forward to seeing that night?

Paul Daley: The main event, Fedor vs. Barnett. Also you have got Takanori Gomi on there, Gegard Mousasi....Vitor Belfort!  I am looking forward to the whole event!!

**At the time of this interview, Josh Barnett was still slated to face Fedor Emelianenko**

Paul Daley: I intend to keep the fight standing but I am ready to go to war wherever the battle will take place.


PDG: UFC 100 was 2 weeks ago; what did you think of the event as a whole and the defeat of your countryman Michael Bisping?

Paul Daley: I thought the show was OK with some good fights. Bisping made a mistake and Dan Henderson was able to capitalize. For me Bisping never looked comfortable in there from the start.

PDG: After your fight for Affliction, do your plans include going to Japan to fight?

Paul Daley: I would love to fight in Japan, one of my biggest ambitions in the Sport since I started competing was to win a then PRIDE GP. DREAM is doing the big Grand Prix's now, and I’d love to take part in one of next year’s events.

PDG: Thanks again for your time Paul, is there anything else you wanted add?

Paul Daley: Yes I would like to thank my sponsors – Cherry Active, Maximuscle Nutrition, Skin Industries, Engage fight wear, Full Tilt Poker, Rev Gear and A Three fight gear. All the guys at team Rough House, and Mike's gym in Holland and last but least my Manager, family and friends, thanks for the support.