2. Don’t leave us now, Paul
As devastating and deflating as the loss may have been, I don’t foresee this as being the end of the line for [autotag]Paul Felder[/autotag]. “The Irish Dragon” was emotional in the octagon post-fight, hinting that retirement could be on the horizon after this loss.
Felder’s team splashed cold water all over that, though. Both his head coach Duke Roufus and longtime manager Brian Butler told me post-fight that Felder is “not done,” and that emotions were simply running high. That makes sense, but it also would be understandable if Felder did choose to hang up the gloves.
Not only is Felder an elite lightweight, but he has a blossoming career as an analyst and broadcaster for the UFC. Shifting to that role full-time seems like a feasible exit plan from competition, it’s just on Felder to decide when he wants to make that jump permanently.
Eventually it will happen, but it shouldn’t be on the heels of this fight. Had Felder lost decisively the conversation would be different, but if anything he showed he belongs among the upper tier at 155 pounds, and it’d be a shame to see him walk away just when things are getting interesting.
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