Bellator 183’s Paul Daley talks KO win over Lorenz Larkin, says they made peace after bout

Paul Daley left Bellator 183 with a bang last night, KO’ing top former UFC welterweight contender Lorenz Larkin in the second round.

Both men traded heavy shots in the opening round, but it was Daley’s killer left hook that made the difference. ‘Semtex’ knocked out Larkin in spectacular fashion and added another highlight reel KO to his resume.

“People, they just underestimate the power so much,” Daley told MMAjunkie at the SAP Center in San Jose after the bout. “I don’t understand why. I’ve got 40 wins and 35 knockouts. Why would you want to stand and trade with me? It’s ridiculous. But I got the win. I’m happy, and I’m looking on to the future now, getting into title contention, big names, big fights and more money.”

Daley, 34, had antagonized ‘The Monsoon’ in the lead-up and things kicked off at the official weigh-ins on Friday, with both men having had to be separated by security.

The Nottingham-based Daley says his trash talk is par for the course and claims he made peace with Larkin in the locker room.

“Lorenz, he was just in my changing room, he’s genuinely a nice guy. He said I got under his skin a bit, and he just wasn’t used to the whole trash-talking thing. He’s a top name. He’s beaten former UFC champions. He’s beaten some top guys. For me, it’s a massive, massive win.

“He came back to the changing rooms, and we spoke a little bit. He’s a cool guy. I don’t know why everyone gets so wound up. They know what (expletive) I’m going to do; I do it every time. I talk a bit of (expletive). I wind them up at the press conference or whatever. He just bit.”

As for what’s next, Daley expects to fight British rival Michael ‘Venom’ Page, although he thinks he’s several leagues ahead of the striking dynamo.

“‘MVP’s’ been talking, but with this win, I think I’ve leapt over that kind of fight,” Daley said. “But I’m open to the fight, because it’s a big fight. I’m just looking for the money and waiting for the title shot. Standup fighters like ‘MVP,’ they can’t beat me. They don’t understand I just have to touch them once, and then it’s lights out. So, it’s whatever. Whatever happens.”

Daley is 2-2 in his last four but has only lost to the divisional elite, dropping a unanimous decision to current welterweight champion Douglas Lima and losing via first-round submission to former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald. The Brit is still considered one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport.