Paul Daley is now a free agent.

He was released from his Strikeforce contract at the weekend, apparently at his own request, and now has not ties with any promotion.

With the UFC set to visit Daley’s home city of Nottingham on September 29, the way is open for him to make a return to the organisation - if Dana White relents on his vow never to allow Daley back in.

“I’m happy that Strikeforce has granted my request to be released from their roster as I found it difficult to fight so infrequently. My whole career I’ve wanted to fight as often as possible as it keeps me in the best form and condition,” said Daley in a prepared statement.

“I felt that I put on nothing but entertaining fights while at the organization. The KO’s of Ludwig and Scott Smith were some great memories for me, as well as the back and forth fight of the year I had with Nick Diaz. 

“My manager Wad Alameddine has already started speaking to some promotions about my future today following the official release papers from Strikeforce, and I’m looking forward to the next part in my journey.”

Neither Daley nor his manager Alameddine made any mention of the UFC in the statement, but Alameddine did say that both MMA and “K-1 kickboxing” ventures are of interest.

Daley departed the UFC under a cloud after a post-fight attempt to punch Josh Koscheck. The incident happened at in Toronto, Canada and could not have come at a worse time, politically, as the UFC was engaged in wooing the Canadian government regarding MMA and there were government officials in attendance.

UFC president Dana White hit the roof and fired Daley on the spot, swearing he would never relent. Its a position he has steadfastly maintained ever since, despite relenting on other similar vows relating to other fighters, most famously the former light-heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz.

However the UFC is a business and there is no doubt that Daley both sells tickets and brings viewers in. he would be an asset to Bellator FC - especially with their move to Spike TV not far away - and so there has never been a better time for him to be back in the Ultimate Fight Championship.