Felder To Come Out Of Retirement: ‘I Just Miss That Fire’
You can never count “The Irish Dragon” out, especially when it involves a sport he loves.
Paul Felder, who retired back in February, made a special announcement during an interview via Instagram Live with UFC commentator Jon Anik. Following about a month+ hiatus, Felder is coming back to the octagon. Part of the reason is due to the coronavirus pandemic, while also missing the edge of fighting.
“I can tell you that after all of this with what we’re going through, I cannot wait to fight again,” Felder stated, via MMA Junkie. “Dude, I’m on this bike. I had my manager, Brian Butler, send me all these photos. I texted him last night. I said, ‘Man, I’m a little depressed.’ I’m missing my job. I’m missing my guys. I’m missing my commentary. … We’re having a great time. Family time is great. But I just miss that fire.”
Felder (17-5) made his UFC debut in 2014, beating Jason Saggo via split decision. Since then he has faced a who’s who of fighters. His last bout was in New Zealand against Dan Hooker. After a back and forth affair, Felder lost via split decision. He hung up his gloves after, thanking the UFC, the fans and his family.
Performing commentary for the UFC, some time to reflect with family cleared his head. Felder decided against his urge to stay away from fighting.
“You don’t realize how important that is in your life, especially somebody like myself or anybody like myself who’s an athlete that’s been doing this for so long,” Felder went on to say. “Or even someone like you, (Jon), that’s been working, making this company become what it is: You are one of the faces of this company.
“And to just have it stripped away from us it’s like, f*ck man. F*ck, I can’t wait to get back to doing this.”
Realizing it won’t be easy, Felder wants to make sure he’s still got it. Before the Hooker loss, Felder was on a two-fight win streak and was 5-1 in his last six. Close in the UFC’s lightweight rankings, Felder know’s all he needs to do is push himself like he always has done.
“I will never take this for granted ever again,” Felder said, via MMA Fighting. “I think that’s something we’re all gonna learn with this craziness, if anything.”