RUMOR: Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck

This just in from the MMA sewing circle:  UK demolitionist Paul "Semtex" Daley may face Josh Koscheck sometime in the 2nd quarter of 2010.  ESPN's Jon Anik mentioned the likelihook of the bout in this Q&A.

Dana White told MMAWeekly he would pair Daley with either Fitch or Koscheck next, isolating the two AKA teammates as the top welterweight contenders for GSP's belt. "He's going to have to fight one of the top two contenders before we think about him fighting GSP."

White continued:  "My big problem in this division right now is the two best guys out there are probably Koscheck and Fitch and trying to get them to fight each other is a nightmare. I'd really like to see that fight.  We’ll put Paul Daley against one of them and see what happens."

The fearless Daley expressed interest in the challenge presented by either of the powerfully athletic wrestlers that many think will be the perfect undoing to the violent detonation of his stand-up abilities.

"I'd like to fight a Fitch or a Koscheck just to prove that I've got improved takedown defense, and I have a ground game and this is stuff I'm continually working on. I just haven't had a chance to display it because I keep knocking people out standing up. Fitch would be great or a Koscheck."

Although I'm glad that Semtex will face an opponent that will inarguably authenticate his status should he succeed, the match-up that I think holds more appeal is a fight with Thiago Alves.  Unfortunately, Alves is set for a rematch with Fitch at UFC 111.  Alves was on a seven-fight win streak before losing to St. Pierre, and Koscheck was one of the big-name victims along his welterweight killing spree, along with Karo Parisyan, Matt Hughes, and Chris Lytle.  Therefore I feel the clear pecking order at 170 is GSP, Fitch, then Alves--followed by Koscheck.

Daley agrees.  "Again, there's a (Thiago) Alves fight. I've been fighting and knocking guys out standing up, but I really haven't displayed my full array of stand-up skills and I think a fight with Alves would be entertaining for the fans."

We'll report more on the Semtex/Koscheck rumor as news surfaces.

Source (interview quotes):  MMAWeekly

Source (Kos/Daley rumor):  ESPN