There had been no love lost between the two men prior to the bout with Daley in particular wasting no opportunity to take a dig at his rivals looks, personality and fighting skills.

He may have won the pre-fight war-of-words but during the fight though it was Koscheck who had the upper-hand as Daley spent much of the three round encounter on his back with Koscheck using his wrestling base to control the UK fighter.

As the final bell rang he approached his opponent looking as if he was going to shake his hand, but then sucker punched his rival before being dragged away by referee Dan Miragliotta. To his credit Koscheck did not seek retribution, merely walking away from the confrontation shaking his head.

At the post-fight press conference Dana White said that there was “no excuse” for Daley’s actions and confirmed that he will be cut from the UFC and will never fight for the promotion again.

“He’ll never come back,” White stated. “I don’t care if he’s the best 170-pounder in the world. He’s never coming back here.

By way of contrast, with the win Koscheck now gets a shot at GSP’s title and will star opposite him in the 12th season of The Ultimate Fighter.