Daley to return to U.S. for Shark Fights card in Texas

A contrite Paul (Semtex) Daley has been added to the Shark Fights 13 card on Sept. 11 in Amarillo, Texas.

The English welterweight was cut by the UFC for throwing a sucker-punch at Josh Koscheck after losing to the American at UFC 113 in May. Daley bounced back by submitting Daniel Acacio at an Impact FC show in Sydney, Australia, earlier this month.

"I'm very excited to be fighting in the U.S. again," Daley said in a statement released by Shark Fights. "Despite my conduct during the Koscheck fight, which I agree is inexcusable, fans in the United States have been very supportive. For that I am very grateful.

"I can't undo what has already been done, but I'm determined to prove to everyone that the fighter they saw at UFC 113 is not who I am. I am better than that and the fans deserve better than that. I plan to do whatever it takes to earn back their respect and the respect of everyone in the industry."

Promoters have yet to announce an opponent for Daley (24-9-2) at the Civic Center Coliseum.

"Daley is arguably one of the best 170-pound fighters in the world," Brent Medley, president of Shark Fight Promotions, said in a statement.

The Daley-Koscheck UFC fight was to choose the next challenger to welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre of Montreal.

The Shark Fights 13 card also features a non-title main event between current Shark Fights champion Trevor Prangley and former UFC light-heavyweight Keith (The Dean of Mean) Jardine.

In the co-main event, light-heavyweight Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou takes on Houston Alexander in a battle of UFC veterans. The card also features a middleweight bout between Joey Villasenor and Drew McFedries.

NOTES— Former UFC welterweight Jonathan (The Road Warrior)Goulet says his next fight is against Matt MacGrath of Halifax on Aug. 7 in Beauport, Que., on the RingSide: Invasion card.