When Paul Felder took to the microphone to announce his retirement on the UFC Vegas 27 broadcast, many were surprised. He had put together a couple of wars recently and is the last man to have defeated the newly minted UFC lightweight champions. One person who was not surprised was fellow commentator, Alan Jouban.
Jouban had made the choice himself a few weeks prior. He knew the thoughts his co-worker was having – he had recently had those thoughts himself. However, he also knew because Paul had already told him.
“I ran into Paul in the elevator that day,” Jouban recalls. “He goes ‘hey man, I’m going to be following in your footsteps this weekend… I’m done, bro.”
Although surprised at the time, it took a little of the shock away from the eventual on-air announcement Jouban would hear later. That doesn’t mean Jouban wouldn’t be surprised that night. In fact, he got a much bigger, more emotional surprise that night.
“We were doing the prelims and the producers get in our ear and they always tell you what’s coming up. They said, ‘after this fight, guys, it’s going to come to you – we’re coming to the desk. Alan, you’re going to go over that [Bruno Silva] knockout,” Jouban recalled. “So I’m sitting there at the desk, looking at my notes. Bruno Silva – and I’m trying to remember what happened. Big right hand, big knockout, two knockouts in a row – this and that. I got everything, I’m ahead and ready to go. Three, two, one, you’re on camera. And I see me on the camera and see myself on our monitor. That UFC debut in Bangor, Maine and I’m wearing I don’t even know, like some Affliction shirt.”
The UFC’s highlight package of Jouban’s career had started on the screen in front of him as it aired to homes all over the world. The seven-year UFC veteran stared in disbelief as the footage rolled in front of him.
“I see this young guy. I see this young Alan Jouban – seven years ago, fresh faced and I hear my voice talking from some interview, talking about perseverance and all those things,” he said. “I got choked up.”
While caught up in the moment, Jouban wasn’t able to recall all the things on the package. Luckily, they had a second private screening for him backstage shortly after that allowed him to enjoy it in all its glory.
If you’d like to hear Jouban discuss the rest of this story, his favorite moments in the UFC, or his biggest regrets, check out the entire interview at 2:01.
