Strikeforce CEO, Scott Coker has given his thoughts on the shocking release of 170 pound star, Paul “Semtex” Daley from the UFC roster, as well as the possibility of seeing “Kimbo Slice” vs. Herschel Walker in the near future.
Speaking via Sherdog.com, Coker:
“I’m not the UFC and they run their business the way they run it and I have no idea what thought process went into it but I’m sure it was influenced by what happened (at Strikeforce “Nashville”) a couple of weeks before.”
“I’m not sure really when cooler heads prevail, maybe (the UFC will) be able to work something out with Paul, but I’m sure Paul will be on some heavy type of suspension from the commission up in Canada and I don’t imagine Paul being able to fight anytime soon.”
“I’m sure we’ll get a call, but let’s what happens. Who knows? He could be on suspension for four to six months. He’s not going to be able to fight. I don’t think that type of reaction or behavior from a fighter will be accepted. It’s just unacceptable.”
Coker then switched his attentions to the possibility of seeing another former UFC fighter, “Kimbo Slice” step into the Strikeforce cage sometime soon, and maybe against former NFL great, Herschel Walker.
“You’re like the sixth person who’s contacted me saying, ‘Hey, you have to put together Herschel Walker vs. Kimbo Slice.’ The thing is with Kimbo is he was successful with the ratings, but when we purchased (the contracts) from Pro Elite, the deal at that time (for Kimbo), we felt was too rich for long-term viability…We haven’t revisited it internally yet, so as of right now I think we’re going to stick with our course, which is putting on the best fighters in the world in the best matchups.”
“The fighters that are important to develop our reach and growth, and are important to Showtime and CBS, we’re going to keep those fighters. We’ve proven that we can stay in the game at the highest level with these athletes because believe me, Fedor (Emelianenko) is not a cheap fighter.”
Strikeforce certainly have an opportunity to boost their ranks with these two being released from the UFC roster. Admittedly Daley may be in for a lengthy suspension and “Kimbo” may not be the fighter fans had hoped for a couple of years ago, but both will certainly sell a Pay-Per-View or two.
Speaking via Sherdog.com, Coker:
“I’m not the UFC and they run their business the way they run it and I have no idea what thought process went into it but I’m sure it was influenced by what happened (at Strikeforce “Nashville”) a couple of weeks before.”
“I’m not sure really when cooler heads prevail, maybe (the UFC will) be able to work something out with Paul, but I’m sure Paul will be on some heavy type of suspension from the commission up in Canada and I don’t imagine Paul being able to fight anytime soon.”
“I’m sure we’ll get a call, but let’s what happens. Who knows? He could be on suspension for four to six months. He’s not going to be able to fight. I don’t think that type of reaction or behavior from a fighter will be accepted. It’s just unacceptable.”
Coker then switched his attentions to the possibility of seeing another former UFC fighter, “Kimbo Slice” step into the Strikeforce cage sometime soon, and maybe against former NFL great, Herschel Walker.
“You’re like the sixth person who’s contacted me saying, ‘Hey, you have to put together Herschel Walker vs. Kimbo Slice.’ The thing is with Kimbo is he was successful with the ratings, but when we purchased (the contracts) from Pro Elite, the deal at that time (for Kimbo), we felt was too rich for long-term viability…We haven’t revisited it internally yet, so as of right now I think we’re going to stick with our course, which is putting on the best fighters in the world in the best matchups.”
“The fighters that are important to develop our reach and growth, and are important to Showtime and CBS, we’re going to keep those fighters. We’ve proven that we can stay in the game at the highest level with these athletes because believe me, Fedor (Emelianenko) is not a cheap fighter.”
Strikeforce certainly have an opportunity to boost their ranks with these two being released from the UFC roster. Admittedly Daley may be in for a lengthy suspension and “Kimbo” may not be the fighter fans had hoped for a couple of years ago, but both will certainly sell a Pay-Per-View or two.