Paul Daley has already apologized for his post-fight behavior on Saturday night, but according to UFC president Dana White, Daley will still never fight again in the UFC.MMA Fighting spoke to another popular British fighter, Michael Bisping, who faces Dan Miller at UFC 114 on May 29, about Daley's post-fight punch and the UFC's decision to cut him immediately.
"What can I say? It was one of the stupidest things that I had ever seen," Bisping said. "Paul's a very talented young man, he's got a bright future ahead of him and he was getting his UFC career off to a fantastic start and it's a shame to see a few seconds of madness ruin such a great potential career. But this is a professional sport and we're professional sportsman, you can't act like that."
Bisping added that considering the sometimes negative stigma attached to MMA, the fighters involved in the sport need to be on their best behavior before and after fights.
"I, myself, have done years and years of interviews and things like that, talking about how we're not thugs, we're professional athletes, we're martial artists. Behavior like that just plays into stereotypes. It's just a bit of a shame, really."
"The Count" said he was a little surprised that White decided to cut Daley on Saturday, but didn't blame him for doing so.
"I'm not saying I agree with letting him go, no. To be honest, I was a little shocked when I heard that the UFC were cutting him completely. I thought, maybe, he might be relegated to the undercard, but I'm sure they have their reasons. You know, I try to stay out of it and I just focus on my fight and my career, you know?
"Who knows? Maybe we'll see him back one day. I hope so. I've known Paul for a while. He's a nice guy. He just made a silly mistake."
As far as his own career, Bisping is clearly focused on his upcoming fight against Miller, which recently moved up the card due to Forrest Griffin's injury. But while he will now be fighting in the co-main event, the 31-year-old hasn't changed his outlook on the fight.
"For me, personally, it doesn't really make a great deal of difference. Everything is still the same. I suppose it's a little bit more of a prestigious spot, but other than that, it doesn't change a thing. My training isn't going to change, my opponent isn't going to change. It's always nice to say you're the co-main event or the main event, but it doesn't change what I need to do: focus on my training and focus on winning the fight."
Bisping lost his last fight in the Octagon against Wanderlei Silva via unanimous decision. He recently watched the fight again and still believes he won two of the three rounds against "The Axe Murderer".
"Wanderlei is the one calling for the rematch, not me. He's calling for the rematch, so I think he knows in his heart of hearts that I won the fight."
Editor's note: Bisping will chat with MMA Fighting readers Tuesday afternoon at 2:30PM ET.
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