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Woodley is not at Koscheck's level - Daley

ESPN staff
July 29, 2011
Paul Daley struggled with Josh Koscheck's wrestling © Getty Images
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Paul Daley has told Tyron Woodley that he is not in Josh Koscheck's league, and he will prove it by sinking the undefeated welterweight at this weekend's Strikeforce event.

Daley and Woodley are set to compete in a 170lb contest that will determine plenty in the Strikeforce welterweight division. The Brit only recently lost - narrowly - to vacated champion Nick Diaz, while Woodley is considered an unofficial No. 1 contender.

Undoubtedly the ideal result for Strikeforce is a Woodley win. Daley has had his shot at the gold, whereas Woodley is riding a wave. If he extends his record to 9-0 he becomes an increasingly marketable asset, but Daley just does not see that happening.

"For me, it's like the [film] Titanic because they've spent a lot of time building him up, and putting him in there with me is kind of unpredictable - because I'm the iceberg," Daley said.

"No disrespect to Woodley, but I think we're going to stick him in there with a striker, and Woodley's just going to take [me] down and hold [me] there. But I'm going to pull off the upset."

Daley has always had an Achilles heel against top class wrestlers. Jake Shields highlighted it, and Koscheck also capitalised in the Brit's last UFC fight. Woodley, though, is not in that class according to Daley.

"I don't think [Woodley] is the same level as Koscheck. I'm not trying to insult him or anything but that's just my opinion. He's probably better all around than Koscheck is, but I don't think he's a better wrestler."

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