Lightweight contender Paul Felder caught the MMA world by surprise last night (Sat., May 22, 2021) when he announced his official retirement from the sport during the broadcast of UFC Vegas 27 live on ESPN+.
Felder, who is ranked No. 9 in the UFC’s lightweight division right now, believes it was time to hang up his gloves because a UFC title shot was nowhere in sight. The decision was certainly a shock to fans tuning into UFC Vegas 27 to see some Saturday fights, but Felder is making the right choice if he no longer feels the desire to compete.
Following the conclusion of UFC Vegas 27, UFC president Dana White was asked about Felder and his career with the promotion in an interview with ESPN (shown below). White had nothing but good things to say about “Irish Dragon” the fighter, but he also paid tribute to Felder’s skills as a color commentator.
“Yeah he’s had an incredible career here and now he’s starting, well I shouldn’t say starting. But, he really is starting his new career after fighting. He’s a great commentator. He’s done an amazing job here and 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,” said White.
Felder, 36, will leave a 9-6 UFC record behind after losing his last two Octagon appearances against Dan Hooker and Rafael dos Anjos. With fighting out of the way “Irish Dragon” will be able to solely focus on his broadcasting career and help build on an already successful commentary gig with the biggest MMA promotion in the world.
For complete UFC Vegas 27 results and coverage click here.