Daley Doesn't Stop After EliteXC Win

The young banger began 2008 in similar style, traveling to the United States to make his second appearance for the blossoming EliteXC promotion against Sam Morgan (Pictures). Daley wasted no time in battering the TUF graduate with a series of nasty knees, before a brutal elbow sent Morgan crashing face first to the canvas.

Morgan had managed to take Daley to the floor early in the contest. The Nottingham fighter maintained his composure, though.

"I had a hook in, so I was pretty comfortable," Daley said. "The camera angle you can't really see, but he tried to pass about two or three times, but I had control of his legs with my hooks. So I was pretty comfortable, chilling there. The ref said, ‘Be more active,' so I just clamped down and held onto him and got the fight stood back up."

Critics have pointed out that the standup came a moment early, but that did not seem to concern Daley. He concentrated on the job at hand, surging back into control.

"The two or three knees that I put in before the elbow, I could hear him wincing every time the knee landed, wincing really hard," Daley said. "He was in pain after I landed those knees and then he came up for air, I'm guessing, and that's when the elbow came in. The elbow was solid. I did feel it land -- it was solid -- right on the side of his face."

After stringing together a list of such impressive wins, "Semtex" feels that his confidence is at a career high. Then again, being one of the best-regarded fighters in the United Kingdom for around three years, he is no stranger to confidence.

"I've always been confident, even in my losses, because I've always taken something away from them which I could work on and learn from," Daley explained. "I've always been a confident fighter. I give credit where credit is due. I'm not arrogant. If I think someone's got ability and skill, I'll give them props. But I'm confident and I don't think I can be stopped, you know. I just need to keep ironing out my weaknesses.'

Having already caught the attention of EliteXC promoter Gary Shaw as a genuine contender for the organization's welterweight title, Daley appears to have every chance to make a run for the championship in the coming months. That fact is not lost on him as he eyes the upcoming title clash between UFC veteran Drew Fickett (Pictures) and grappler extraordinaire Jake Shields (Pictures).

"I'd love to fight for the EliteXC title," Daley said. "That's something I really, really want to pursue. My confidence is at an amazing level. I've been full time for a while, and the quality of my training has increased as well, so I think it's easily within my powers to defeat either of those guys. Hopefully, we'll see what happens. It's down to Pro Elite. Who knows, maybe they'll come calling.

"Obviously Jake Shields (Pictures) is one of the names I'd like to fight, and that's about it really. If Drew Fickett (Pictures) beats him, then I want to fight Drew Fickett (Pictures). I want to fight the top guys."

Before a possible title tilt, however, there really is no rest for the wicked. Daley has another assignment to take care of when he defends his King of the Ring Thai boxing title on Feb. 24 in Nottingham. This comparatively low-key test of his skills, which will take place in front of his coaches and swarms of local fans, seems just as important as any title fight.

In preparation for the bout, the rising star will be honing his abilities in one of the roughest centers of Thai boxing competition: the beautiful and potentially quite painful city of Amsterdam.

"I just got an e-mail from Mike's gym in Holland," Daley said. "I'll be there from the 11th until probably the 20th [of February], training and sparring over there with Melvin [Manhoef] and the guys."

Once his Thai boxing encounter is out of the way, Daley intends to return to the United States to work on his wrestling. His pursuit of goals in the fight game can only be described as relentless.

"All the money I get is going into training," Daley said. "Tickets here, there and everywhere, new equipment for my conditioning coaches, new pads, everything -- all I get goes into training. My work is never done, believe me … never done."