Paul Felder Announces Retirement During UFC Fight Night 188 Broadcast

WHAT a career from the Irish Dragon!

Nothing else to say but thank you for the incredible memories, @FelderPaul. #UFCVegas27 pic.twitter.com/54US7HXyVs

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 23, 2021

After flirting with retirement for more than a year, Paul Felder is officially hanging up the four-ounce gloves.

“The Irish Dragon” announced his decision from the broadcast table during Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 188 broacast. Felder retires with a 17-6 record after beginning his professional career in 2011.

“It’s been, really since February [2020] since I fought Dan Hooker in New Zealand,” Felder said. “I got the fire back a little bit when I fought [Rafael dos Anjos] on five days’ notice. I thought it was back and ever since then I’ve spent most of my days swimming, biking, enjoying commentary, and enjoying my time with my family.

“I feel like it’s gotten to a point where I don’t have that burning desire to fight up for many more years and become the champion. I always said if I don’t see that title picture in the next year or so in my future then I’d retire, and I’d do it for my friends and family and myself. I’m 37 years old. I feel very fresh. I love the UFC with all my heart for everything that they’ve given me, for every opportunity I ever had and sitting here on this desk and doing television. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m going to keep doing this.

“I’m retiring officially from the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC. I got as high as No. 6 in the world and got pretty close to fight for that belt. I fought some of the baddest dudes in this division, and I want to thank all of them. My apologies for holding up the division for all the guys below me and the young guns. I’m officially stepping down because it’s not right to hold up the division. I wish more people would do this. When it’s time, it’s time, and that’s it for me.”

After losing a five-round split decision to Hooker in the UFC Fight Night 168 headliner, Felder flirted with retirement in a post-fight interview before eventually electing to continue his career. That ultimately led to him agreeing to step in for Islam Makhachev against dos Anjos on less than a week’s notice this past November. The Philadelphia native would go on to lose a split decision to the former lightweight champion in the UFC Fight Night 182 main event.

Felder went 5-0 under the Cage Fury Fighting Championship banner, capturing the organization’s lightweight crown along the way. He made his Octagon debut in 2014 and compiled a 9-6 mark within the Las Vegas-based promotion. He earned notable wins over the likes of Danny Castillo, Daron Cruickshank, Joshua Burkman, Charles Oliveira, James Vick and Edson Barboza.

"I'm retiring officially from the sport of mixed martial arts and from the UFC."@felderpaul has called it a career #UFCVegas27 pic.twitter.com/QGoTXPsBKQ

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 23, 2021