Paul Daley Apologizes For UFC 113 Actions

Telegraph’s Gareth A. Davies spoke to Paul Daley following his UFC 113 meltdown and got an apology out of the fighter. Here are a few highlights from the interview:

“I’ve had a long flight home to consider my actions and regret the mistake I made on Saturday. I would like to apologise to the UFC and the Athletic Commission for what I’ve done as well as all the fans and sponsors that support me.”

“I would also like to offer my sincerest apologies to Josh Koscheck who did not deserve the cheap shot I threw. He did what he needed to do in order to win the fight and get the job done, and I foolishly reacted to the situation.”

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“Josh implemented his game plan perfectly taking me down and staying on top of me for the majority of the fight. I was also frustrated about him claiming (and acting like) I knee’d him in the head on the ground when it was clear for all to see in the video replay that I didn’t connect at all with the knee I threw.”

“Then finally, the verbal abuse Josh hit me with in the final 30 seconds of the fight simply pushed me over the edge and my frustrations came out as I knew I’d lost the fight, was unhappy with my own performance and had then been ridiculed by my opponent to top things off.”

“This is certainly no excuse for my actions; I fully deserve to be punished for what I did and hope that everyone I have disappointed can forgive my rash decision. I feel very disappointed in myself for losing my cool and hope that I am able to address my temperament and bounce back from this low point in my career.”

I have had the chance to speak to Daley in the past and despite his brash personality he is a proud and respectful person. Hopefully he’ll have the opportunity to rebound from this situation and earn his way back into the UFC to earn back the fans’ respect.

If Gilbert Yvel can earn the cred to get a spot in the UFC there is no reason Paul Daley can’t.