Cage Contender announced moments ago that Paul “Semtex” Daley will face Patrick “Dexter” Vallee in the main event of Cage Contender 16 in The National Basketball Arena, Dublin, Ireland.

Vallee is 9-4-1-2, having battled with top fighters such as UFC welterweight contender Siyar Bahadurzada, who he fought to a draw in Vallee’s first ever professional bout, and tricky Brazilian Swede UFC and PRIDE veteran David Bielkheden.

Cage Contender owner John Ferguson revealed to us that Cage Contender and Bellator MMA had been working closely together to make this fight happen

“We are happy to welcome Patrick “Dexter” Vallee to Cage Contender, in what is undoubtedly the biggest fight of his career so far.”

“Anyone who was has studied Vallee knows he has great grappling and lethal leg kicks. He has been in there with some pretty tough opponents and we feel he will put on a great show for the Cage Contender fans.”

“Thanks to Bjorn Redney and Sam Caplan from Bellator MMA for their help in making this happen and for authorising the opponent”

We caught up with one half of the Cage Contender 16 main event, Patrick “Dexter” Vallee, who was kind enough to answer a few questions

When did you first hear Cage Contender were looking for an opponent for Daley?

I heard about the Cage Contender’s fight on Saturday. Fighting such a great athlete as Daley is an honour for me so I’ll do what the fans asked with great pleasure.

Your Sherdog record has you listed as middleweight, is this correct? How is the weight cut down to welterweight?

I am used to fight as a middleweight and doing small cuts, so for this welterweight match up, I am working with a nutritionist to drop weight the healthier as possible.

You have very faced tough opponents like Siyar Bahadurzada, David Bielkheden, Daniel Acacio and more, do you think Paul Daley will be your toughest opponent yet?

It is true, I have faced some good guys and Paul Daley is one of the top contenders in the weight class, so, for sure it’s going to be a good fight. I am looking forward to it.

You tried out for The Ultimate Fighter 13, talk to us about this experience please

I did the tryouts for the Ultimate Fighter 13. I passed all the different stages of the selection: grappling, pads, 2 interviews and the medicals but, for unknown reasons, 2 days before the day I was supposed to fly to Vegas, they dismissed me.

I guess it was because that season they didn’t the do the preliminaries fights to get into the house. They only took 14 guys instead around 30….

Any message to Paul Daley and the Cage Contender fans? Anyone you would like to thank?

First of all I d like to thank all the fans who suggested the fight, without you guys, I wouldn’t have such opportunity.

Of course, I also want to thank my manager Pat Wilson and all the Big Fight Management Team for their great job.

I also want to thank Daley for accepting this challenge as I know he was originally expecting another opponent.

Thanks for my Team EAM, coaches and sparring-partners.

Finally, thanks for my fans who always support me, for the best and for the rest, and thanks to all the MMA Fans, which without we couldn’t enjoy our great sport!

Cage Contender 16 takes place on 23rd February 2013 in The National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin. Tickets are available from CageContender.com