“Don’t have the burning desire” – Paul Felder announces his retirement from MMA

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3 years ago

Paul Felder competes against Edson Barboza in their Lightweight Bout during UFC 242 (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Paul Felder has announced his retirement at the age of 37

One of the toughest fighters in the UFC, Paul Felder announced his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts on-air at UFC Fight Night 188.

‘The Irish Dragon’ is one of those fighters, who never fails to put on a show. Having made his debut back in 2014, Felder has had some remarkable fights in the MMA’s biggest promotion.

Felder has 17 wins and 6 losses to his name. It is tough to finish the man. His hard-as-nails attitude has seen him lose just one fight via TKO, and it had to be via. doctor stoppage. ‘The Irish Dragon’ never backs down.

Paul Felder

Even in his last fight against Rafael dos Anjos, where he lost via. split decision, he was handed the Fight of the Night bonus. He has three Fight of the Night and three Performance of the Night bonuses to his name.

With Michael Bisping and Brendan Fitzgerald on commentary duties, alongside him; he stated that he has lost the burning desire in him to fight for some more years and become the champion:

“I don’t have the burning desire to fight up for many more years to become the champion. I always said if I don’t see the title picture in the next year or so, that I would retire, and I would do it for my friends, family, to save myself…I’m retiring from the sport of mixed martial arts and the UFC.”

Paul Felder sends his heartfelt thanks to the UFC

Felder has plied most of his trade in the UFC. He had just 9 fights in his MMA resume when he joined the promotion in 2014. And, since then he has gone on to fight 14 more times.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 14: In this handout image provided by UFC, (L-R) Paul Felder elbows Rafael Dos Anjos of Brazil in a lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on November 14, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Felder thanked the UFC in his retirement message, acknowledging all that they have done for him. However, he promised that he would remain in commentary duties due to his love for the sport.

He said:

“I love the UFC with all my heart for everything that they have given me, for every opportunity that I’ve ever had to be sitting here at this desk to be working on television, something that I’ve always wanted to do and I’m going to keep doing this.”

We wish Paul Felder the best of luck in all his future endeavors.