MMA: Paul Daley to headline Dubai Fighting Championship card in May

Controversial former UFC contender Paul Daley is to headline Dubai Fighting Championship's next MMA card this May.

The 30-year-old Briton, who now competes for US fighting league Bellator, will step into the cage to face Brazilian jiujitsu specialist Rodrigo 'Ximbica' Ribeiro at the organisation's next fight card on May 10.

"Bellator have given me official clearance, and I'm happy to represent them, and promise another KO victory," said Daley, who heads to the UAE on the back of a second-round knockout win over Patrick Vallee.

Daley, who boasts a 31-12-1 record, found infamy after being kicked out of the UFC after suckerpunching opponent Josh Koscheck following their number one contender's fight in 2010.

He joined rival organisation Strikeforce and faced Nick Diaz for the welterweight title, losing by stoppage three seconds from the end of the first round, before switching to Bellator last year.

Daley had been due to enter that company's welterweight tournament, but was removed earlier this year after being barred from entering the USA over visa issues.

Ribeiro, a submission specialist and BJJ black belt, lost his last fight inside a minute to Phil Baroni at One FC in the Philippines.

He holds a 9-10 record going into the fight at the Madinat Arena.

"Paul Daley is a big name in the world of MMA and he is always exciting to watch," said Tam Khan, DFC's president.

"Bellator was very professional and we want to thank them for their support as well as helping us continue to grow MMA in the region by clearing Daley to fight in our upcoming show,"

Elsewhere on the card, Tunisian fighter Mounir Lazzez will face striking specialist Tony Michielsen, while Nilson 'Pokemon' Lopez follows up his submission win at DFC 1 with a bout against undefeated Golden Glory striker Hubert Geven.

sports@thenational.ae

Follow us @SprtNationalUAE