Bellator MMA Unconditionally Releases Paul Daley and Miaquel Falcao Following Legal Troubles

Bellator MMA has unconditionally released Paul Daley and Maiquel Falcao following the fighters’ legal troubles.

The news was first reported by MMAFighting.com and Bellator officials confirmed the releases to MMAWeekly.com on Friday.

Daley (33-12-2) competed in Bellator one time, defeating Ruby Bears by technical knockout on July 20, 2012.  He was expected to fight in the Bellator welterweight tournament, but visa issues prevented the fighter from entering the U.S.

Daley was involved in a bar fight in his native England and plead guilty to assault by beating and obstructing an officer.  The plea deal kept Daley from going to jail, but will continue to cause visa issues, according to Bellator.

Earlier this month, Falcao (31-5, 1 no contest) was involved in an altercation at a gas station in his home country of Brazil that left his teammate Kaue Mena in serious condition in a coma.  The incident was caught on camera and the footage indicates that Falcao initiated the brawl by slapping a female patron.

A group of men, defending the lady, came into the store and the situation quickly escalated and spilled outside.  Falcao and Mena were beaten with wooden boards and left unconscious.  The video shows men continuing to punch and kick Mena while he lay in the parking lot.

It wasn’t the first brush with the law for Falcao.  He was released from the UFC in May 2011 due to legal issues stemming from a 2002 assault.

Both fighters were unconditionally released, meaning they’re free to sign with any promotion that may want them.

(Video of the Falcao gas station brawl. Warning: extreme violence.)