Former UFC star Daley defeats Fioravanti
Posted October 22, 2011 11:30 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — Paul Daley bested former UFCer Luigi Fioravanti for a unanimous decision victory on Friday in a slow paced fight at the Bell Centre.
Daley had Fioravanti in trouble as he landed three consecutive knees but he could not finish the fight.
After the victory, the British fighter was apologetic.
“I am really sorry to disappoint the fans at the Bell Centre,” said Daley. “Luigi is a tough guy and never really gets finished.”
The win was a measure of redemption for Daley who lost to Josh Koscheck in his last fight in Montreal.
Daley, who has fought seven times in the past year, promised to make a strong return to the ring.
“I am going to rest, as I have fought seven fights in twelve months … when you see me back in the ring, I will be finishing fights.”
In semi-main event action, Michel Gagnon of Sudbury, Ont., quickly stopped Detroit’s Bo Harris.
Harris, a former NCAA collegiate wrestler, shot in for a takedown and Gagnon locked in a Guillotine that forced Harris to tap out. It was Gagnon’s fifth submission win out of his eight career victories.
After the fight, Gagnon said he has his eye on the Ringside Bantamweight title.
“I’ll be ready 110 per cent to take the title next fight.”
Daron Cruickshank took home the previously vacant Ringside Lightweight title. The Michigan native took out Montreal’s Mike Ricci with a five round unanimous decision in the evening’s fight of the night.
Cruickshank pushed the pace of the fight and seemed to beat Ricci to the punch throughout the contest. After the final bell, both fighters thought they had the victory but it was Cruickshank who took home the title.
“I felt pretty good. It was a tough fight and (Ricci) is a tough guy,” said Cruickshank.
Alex Garcia floored Matt MacGrath with a massive right in what was easily the knockout of the night. After MacGrath dropped to the canvas, Garcia followed up with three punches to knock out his opponent.
Jason Saggo of Bolton, Ont., continued to impress. He improved his record to 6-1 by stopping Quebec’s Kevin Morin with punches in the third round.
Nick Portieous edged Tommy Cote by a split decision. Portieous appeared to win the first two rounds with his wrestling and Cote came back in the third with some effective ground and pound from top position.
In preliminary action, Francis Charbonneau defeated Chris Franck by unanimous decision; Keven Tremblay squeaked by Maxime Fecteau with a split decision; Olivier Aubin-Mercier quickly caught Guy Poulin in a rear naked choke; and Vladimir Starcencov quickly dropped Craig Hudson with an overhand right and finished him in under a minute in heavyweight action.
