Paul Felder har officiellt lagt handskarna på hyllan när det kommer till professionell MMA.
Felder meddelar sin pensionering under sändning
Under lördagens UFC Vegas 27 meddelade lättviktaren Paul ”The Irish Dragon” att han avslutar sin karriär med 16-7 i record som inleddes i december 2011.
Ni kan se Felder officiella uttalanden nedan:
”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
I don’t have that burning desire to fight for many more years to become the champion… I love the UFC with all of my heart for everything that they’ve given me. But it is time.
I fought some of the baddest dudes in the division and I want to thank all of them. My apologies for holding up the division for all the guys behind me… I’m officially stepping down, it’s not right to hold up the division.
I wish I had some gloves to chuck up into the octagon but I pretty much did that in New Zealand and I pretty much meant it back then and it’s been a struggle to get motivated to get back into the gym ever since.
Felder verkade hinta om en pensionering i februari år 2020 efter att förlorat via delat domslut mot Dan Hooker i en underhållande match. Felder återvände sedan för en sista match på kort varsel mot Rafael dos Anjos i november där han förlorade via enhälligt domslut.
White och kollegorna hyllar Felder
Efter meddelandet fick Felder ta emot hyllningar från sin chef UFC:s VD Dana White och hans fighterkollegor.
White sade följande till ESPN:
Yea 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.
Nedan ser ni reaktionerna från andra fighters:
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
Thanks @felderpaul enjoy life
— C H🖕🏽T O VERA (@chitoveraUFC) 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
Congrats on a great career @felderpaul I’m a fan of your work inside and outside the octagon ✊🏼
— Shane Burgos (@HurricaneShaneB) May 23, 2021
Congrats my brother @felderpaul amazing career but this isn’t the end of pauly paul
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) 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
What a career @felderpaul 🔥 #ufc
— Max Griffin (@MaxPainGriffin) May 23, 2021
It was an honor watching you compete and training alongside you @felderpaul ! Enjoy retirement 🙌
— Lando Vannata (@GroovyLando) May 23, 2021
Felder always brought it. Congrats on a amazing career
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) May 23, 2021
Love @felderpaul . What an amazing person, an amazing career, he is a true legend and inspires me beyond belief. Enjoy retirement Champ❤️ #UFCVegas27
— Justin Jaynes (@JustinJaynesMMA) May 23, 2021
Under sina 15 matcher i oktagonen vann Felder 9 gånger, bl.a. mot fighters som Edson Barboza och nuvarande lättviktsmästaren Charles Oliveira.