BREAKING | Paul Daley Staying Put, Welcomes Jon Fitch to Bellator

Bellator’s newest acquisition has his debut opponent. Bellator announced during the Bellator 195 broadcast that former WSOF/PFL welterweight champion, Jon Fitch will be debuting against Bellator staple, Paul “Semtex” Daley in the co-main event of Bellator 199 on May 12. The event will be headlined by the heavyweight Grand Prix matchup between Bellator light heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader and Muhammad “King Mo” Lawal.

Recently, it sounded like Daley was but all done with Bellator when he posted this on his Facebook in January:

“SCOTT COKER TALKING ABOUT PAGE AT THE BELLATOR PRESSER, BELLATOR ARESOOOOOOO ON ASS IT’S SICKENING 🤢 HE HASN’T FOUGHT MMA IN HOW LONG, HIS LAST PERFORMANCE IN BOXING AND MMA WERE TERRIBLE.

I BEAT LORENZ LARKIN FORMER UFC GUY, TOP 6 WHEN HE LEFT THE ORGANISATION…BY KO AND THEY SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG? AND THEN SIDELINE ME….

I’M GONNA FIGHT OUT MY CONTRACT…..THAT MVP FIGHT WONT BE HAPPENING…UNDER THE BELLATOR BANNER ANYWAYS….SO FUCK BELLATOR, 18 MORE MONTH IN THIS GAME AND TWO MORE FIGHTS FOR BELLATOR AND I’M DONE. 🤛”

He even said that he was granted his release from the promotion which is what he asked for…apparently not the case.

“They’re only your friend until they’re not your friend. I have politely asked for my RELEASE from BELLATOR MMA, which they have agreed to.

Once I have the paperwork through, stating that I am free to fight elsewhere, I will be looking to fight out my last 18months in this sport with the organization that can put together the most exciting fights for my loyal fans.”

So seemingly things have been worked out as Daley is now facing the veteran newcomer, Fitch!

Fitch has gone 6-2 after spending eight years in the UFC with notable wins over Jake Shields, Yushin Okami, Dennis Hallman, Brian Foster and Jao Zeferino.

Daley happens to be 7-2 in his last nine with his only losses coming to the recent Bellator champions, Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima.

Who wins this matchup of seasoned fighters?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 3/2/2018.