Keeping it real goes wrong again.
Bellator has told MMA Fighting that they are granting unconditional releases to fighters Paul Daley and Maiquel Falcao due to ongoing legal difficulties faced by both fighters and the violent nature of the the behavior that precipitated said troubles. Here’s what Bellator’s director of communications Anthony Mazzuca had to say about the decisions:
“We examine each situation on a case by case basis,” he said, “and, in these two instances, the violent nature of both situations has led to our decision to release both fighters from the organization. We recently received and reviewed the real documents in Daley’s situation, which made clear that he was not in fact cleared, but was actually convicted of both assault by beating and obstructing an officer.
“And, in Maiquel’s situation the video speaks for itself,” he continued. “After reviewing the footage and speaking to the parties involved, including Maiquel and his former manager and trainer Marcelo Brigadeiro, we felt this was the appropriate decision. Maiquel was nothing but a professional during his time with Bellator, but these recent developments have prevented us from keeping Maiquel with the organization.
“Both fighters are now able to fight wherever they wish and for whoever they wish,” he said. “We have retained no matching rights to either fighter. We wish them the best in their future endeavors.”
Both fighters have been previously cut by the UFC due to behavior or legal issues.
The 30-year-old Daley (33-12) fought once for Bellator beating Rudy Bears by TKO but has since been unable to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. He has since fought three times internationally. Daley went 2-1 in the UFC before being cut for flagrantly punching Josh Koscheck after the closing bell of their UFC 113 bout.
The 32-year-old Falcao was cut by the UFC after one decision win over Gerald Harris in 2010 due to ongoing legal troubles arising from a 2002 charge. His recent troubles stem from a brawl he started in a Brazilian gas station that left his teammate Kaue Mena hospitalized after being beaten with boards.
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