via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 07: Paul Felder of United States compete against Edson Barboza of Brazil in their Lightweight Bout during the UFC 242 event at The Arena on September 07, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – SEPTEMBER 07: Paul Felder of United States compete against Edson Barboza of Brazil in their Lightweight Bout during the UFC 242 event at The Arena on September 07, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Paul Felder has been one of the staples to the UFC’s ever-dynamic career lightweight division since he signed with the promotion in 2014. Going 9-6 in his run with the promotion, Felder has always been a fan favorite because of his entertaining fighting style.
Registering wins over names like Charles Oliveira, Edson Barboza, and James Vick amongst others, ‘The Irish Dragon’ always stepped in the octagon with mean ambitions. He’s been in wars with the likes of Dan Hooker and Rafael dos Anjos.
Training out of the legendary Duke Roufus’ Roufusport MMA gym in Milwaukee, Felder has appeased fans with his creative striking and knockout ability.
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“He’s had an incredible career here. He’s a great commentator, he’s done an amazing job here. I am happy for him. Congrats on what he has done for us in the past and I look forward to working with him in the future,” UFC President Dana White said about Felder’s retirement in a post-fight interview.
Resuming work as an analyst with the UFC, Felder would continue to make his presence felt in the MMA world outside the octagon. His retirement speech saw him thank the UFC for the opportunity for giving him the opportunity to fight under the brightest lights for as long as he did. Felder now looks forward to working as a full-time analyst with the promotion, alomgside other retired fighters like Michael Bisping and Daniel Cormier.
“You’ll be seeing me around. You’ll see this ugly mug on the TV for a long time to come,” Felder said during his retirement speech.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Paul Felder Announces Sad News for UFC Fans-Will Fight No More
Reactions to Felder’s storied fighting career
MMA Twitter responded to the retirement of ‘The Irish Dragon’, wishing him well and congratulating him for an excellent fighting career.
Notable MMA journalists like Ariel Helwani and Brett Okamoto tweeted about his retirement promptly.
Paul Felder announces on the broadcast that he is retiring from MMA. What a run he had. A fighter’s fighter who never gave less than 100%. And now he’s turned into an excellent broadcaster. Wish him all the best in this next chapter.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 23, 2021
Damn, Paul Felder announces his retirement on the UFC broadcast. MMA losing a good one in Felder. Crazy to think about the circumstances his final fight came under, with Rafael dos Anjos. Congrats on a great career @felderpaul.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) May 23, 2021
Paul Felder retires as the last fighter to beat current lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 23, 2021
Thank you for an amazing career @felderpaul !! You gave us fans so much and you’re doing this the right way. Glad I still get to call you a friend and co-worker 🙌🏻
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) May 23, 2021
GOODBYE OCTAGON: Fighters celebrate the octagon career of Paul Felder
Islam Makhachev, who was targeting a fight with Felder, wished him well for his future endeavors.
Enjoy your well deserved retirement @felderpaul ✊🏼
— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) May 23, 2021
Welterweight contender Michael Chiesa wrote a heartfelt piece on the fighting career of Felder. Others also congratulated Felder on his fighting career on social media.
Not only is @felderpaul one of the real genuine good guys in this sport, he’s also a rare breed of fighter you don’t see often. A fierce competitor through and through. Fans were always in for a treat when The Irish Dragon was on the card. Congrats on an amazing career doc!
☘️🐉— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) May 23, 2021
Congrats my brother @felderpaul amazing career but this isn’t the end of pauly paul
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) May 23, 2021
Guys after seeing Me and @felderpaul , @bullyb170 just retired. Ima talk to him tho @ufc, don’t worry I got this!!
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 23, 2021
Noooooo!!! @felderpaul you gotta have one more with @BrendanFitzTV in your corner 😢
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) May 23, 2021
Legend 🙌🏼 @felderpaul Thank you for all the years of great fights! #irishdragon
— Cynthia Calvillo (@cyn_calvillo) May 23, 2021
Congrats on a great career @felderpaul I’m a fan of your work inside and outside the octagon ✊🏼
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) May 23, 2021
Felder always brought it. Congrats on a amazing career
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) May 23, 2021
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Thanks @felderpaul enjoy life
— C H🖕🏽T O VERA (@chitoveraUFC) May 23, 2021
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Paul Felder has earned the respect of the audience as well as his peers in his career as a prizefighter. Coming out of it, he has been fortunate enough to make use of his tremendous skills on the microphone as a commentator and analyst for the sport. Given his love for the sport, Felder will contribute to the MMA community. He is, indeed, a born fighter.
ALSO READ: ‘I Knocked Your A** Out’-Paul Felder Trolls Charles Oliveira After Retirement
