Paul Felder officially retires from professional MMA.

Paul Felder makes the jump from professional fighter to full-time commentator as he officially announces his retirement from the sport of MMA. Announcing his retirement during the broadcast of UFC Vegas 27, Felder will still continue as a colour commentator for the promotion but his days of competing will no longer continue.

Speaking on the broadcast Paul Felder explained his reasons for retiring from the sport and gave a little message to the athletes ranked below him:

”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.”

”The Irish Dragon” leaves the sport with an overall record of 17-6, going 9-6 under the UFC. Fans last saw Felder in action at UFC Vegas 14 where he lost a split decision to Rafael Dos Anjos in the main event. Prior to this he produced a Fight of the Year candidate at UFC Auckland losing yet again by split decision after an all out war with the hometown favourite Dan Hooker.