Paul Daley signs with Strikeforce

Paul Daley, once a promising welterweight on the fast track to a title shot in the UFC, has signed with Strikeforce.

Daley, a 27-year-old Brit, was fired from the UFC on May 8, for his actions after the fight against Josh Koscheck at UFC 113. Daley was on his back at the end of the fight, and after the bell rang, he went after Koscheck and sucker-punched him in the face from behind.

Daley had already lost the fight, but that action cost him his job in the UFC. UFC president Dana White fired him on the spot and vowed at the post-fight press conference that Daley "will never fight in the UFC ever again."

So Daley (25-9-2, 18 KOs) was left with little choice to pursue an MMA career. He could either bounce around fledling regional promotions, or find a major non-Zuffa owned promotion.

Enter Strikeforce, where Daley becomes an instant contender at 170 pounds where Nick Diaz is the champ. Just a matter of time before he gets a shot at that belt.