Paul Daley: '(Expletive)' Josh Koscheck knows he's bitten off more than he can chew

LONDON – Bellator welterweight Paul Daley promised not to make too big a scene when he squared off with rival Josh Koscheck at Monday’s face-off for their upcoming rematch at Bellator 158.

But he had to do something.

“To show him this is real, and on July 16, he’s going to be on the defensive and he’s facing someone that really wants to hurt him,” Daley told MMAjunkie after the face-off.

So Daley got in Koscheck’s face, and the two started jawing. Bellator light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary and Bellator President Scott Coker had their hands full keeping the pair apart.

It’s an opportunity Daley, who’s won his past five including three in the Bellator cage, has relished since Koscheck signed with the Viacom-owned promotion. He gets the chance to avenge an infamous loss to the UFC vet six years ago at UFC 113. The fight ended Daley’s career in the industry-leader when he sucker-punched Koscheck after the bell, prompting UFC President Dana White to release him from his contract.

Since then, Daley (38-13-2 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) has fought for promoter Coker under the now-defunct Strikeforce banner and now Bellator, who signed Koscheck (17-10 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) with the expectation of building toward a rematch.

Bellator 158 takes place July 16 at London’s O2 Arena. The event’s main card airs on Spike following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Standing in front of Koscheck under the lights for the first time since their first fight, Daley naturally wasn’t impressed by his opponent.

“His comebacks were weak,” he said. “I’ve seen through everything he had to say. He knows. I can see he knows he’s probably bitten off more than he can chew.”

That would be a big change from their first fight, which was as one-sided as a style-versus-style matchup of MMA’s early days. Koscheck, a decorated wrestler, had no trouble taking down and holding down Daley. Koscheck pitched a shutout on judges’ scorecards with 30-27s across the board. But Daley lost his cool even before his loss was official.

Six years later, his dislike of Koscheck hasn’t lessened.

“This guy is a (expletive),” Daley. “I went to his hometown, and the people in his hometown think he’s a (expletive). So he’s the same in front of the camera and off the camera.”

Check out the video to see Daley talk about his road to the heated rematch.

For more on Bellator 158, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.