Number nine ranked UFC lightweight Paul Felder announced his retirement after seven years in the promotion on Saturday’s broadcast.
Number nine ranked UFC lightweight Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder announced his retirement on Saturday night during the UFC Vegas 27 broadcast. A veteran of the UFC since 2014, Felder retires at 37 years old with a 9-6 record in the Octagon. Felder has worked as an on-air commentator for several years and will continue to work at the desk for the UFC on ESPN.
Felder began his professional career fighting primarily for Cage Fury Fighting Championships in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States. After opening his career 8-0, Felder had was signed to the UFC where he fought the likes of Edson Barboza, Mike Perry, James Vick, and Dan Hooker. Earning a performance bonus six times in his UFC career, he is best remembered for being an entertaining contender in the stacked lightweight division. He is notably the last person to defeat current UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, defeating him by second round TKO in 2017.
In 2020, Felder was on a two fight win-streak and fought Dan Hooker in an early Fight of the Year candidate in Hooker’s backyard of New Zealand. Following the bout, Felder had discussed the possibility of retirement and that he would likely entertain only a high profile bout if he were to continue. In November, Felder stepped in on five days notice against former champion Rafael dos Anjos. Despite the little time to prepare, he went the distance in the bout.
Felder has been praised for his work as a color commentator for the UFC, having worked at the desk for several years. He also made headlines last summer, leaving the commentator’s desk to corner friend and teammate Jared Gordon who was left without a corner due to his team testing positive for COVID-19. Felder left the desk to corner Gordon and returned following the fight to continue his duties as a commentator for the rest of the broadcast.
