I don't think that the UFC needs Paul Daley to return.
I think the organization has enough problems and it would be a step backward.
If you're operating an organization you want to keep growing and you want to profit, you need credibility and should not want to be associated with extremely negative behavior.
If you want new mainstream fans to buy your product I don't understand why you'd want to rehire someone and promote someone who tried to attack and punch someone from behind after they lost a fight.
Since his firing from the UFC, there is no indication Paul Daley is any different and deserves a return and for the organization to invest money in him as a product with an upside for return and profit potential.
I think the UFC is doing the right thing using TUF to build interest in young upcoming fighters, and I think they're smart for recruiting out of notable camps, as well as seeking interest from top collegiate and Olympic wrestlers. These, along with attracting top foreign talent, have always paid big dividends and have resulted in great match-ups and public interest.
I don't think the UFC needs to take a step backward and risk money and their reputation on fighters who exhibit no class and who have disrespected the organization and sport in the past.
It is a liability. The UFC can grow and prosper and attract fans without promoting negative classless behavior.
I don't think there's anything more distasteful for new fans to be exposed to than watching guys who cheap shot people behind their backs and who have legal trouble and other problems outside of the organization.
I don't think the UFC needs more Junie Brownings, Paul Daleys, and further criticism of their image.
The UFC is supposed to be the most professional and respected MMA organization in the world, and is the most recognized as being the pinnacle. I would rather see Dana try to focus on that and go from there.
It is just an opinion. I understand there are Paul Daley fans who would want to see him back in the UFC, but I think that is a small minority of fans compared to the millions of fans who would be buying the events potentially on PPV and through ticket purchases.
He shouldn't return he juts got in trouble again with assault. And if he was brought back to the UFC he would likely do some unprofessional business again in the Octogon.
The only way I think he could do a return properly would be to sit down with Dana and discuss exactly what Dana would require of him to let him back in.
Then Daley would have to communicate this publicly to his fans and make a public commitment to meet Dana's expectations and let the fans know what he's going to do to ensure he gets another opportunity.
From there he needs to humble himself and be professional and execute and follow through. None of this talk about deserving a shot or being owed a chance or being a contender, none of that talk.
He is not a contender, is not owed a shot, and doesn't deserve one. The only way he would is if Dana confirmed it directly to Paul, then Paul publicly commits to it, and then after committing to it he actually comes through and follows through on the arrangement.
It would change his image with fans and it would cut through any of the talk about deserving a shot or being a contender or him being a changed man. All of that is just useless talk until it is established through direct evidence and performance and actual commitment.
I am not against people getting 2nd chances, or even Paul for that matter, but I don't think the UFC should take that kind of risk without conditions and expectations that have to be met before they take Paul seriously.
I don't think the UFC owes him anything. I think he owes his fans and the UFC a lot more than what I've seen from him since Koz got to him and made him flip out and throw everything away. Anyone is capable of moving on from that and recovering and coming back a better fighter and better role model, but in my opinion it should be proven before the UFC takes him seriously.
How can you take him seriously if he's hanging out in bars getting in fights? Sure he is a cool guy and makes cool posts and keeps his fans engaged online, but you can't expect that to play in your favor if you're in trouble again.