Paul Felder is once again feeling the MMA itch.
In recent years, Felder has established himself as a respected member of the UFC broadcast team, regularly working with the likes of Michael Bisping and Jon Anik to bring his own unique take on the world of mixed martial arts. But after nearly three years away from the sport, ‘The Irish Dragon’ is looking to get back into the swing of things. Whether or not that translates into a return to the Octagon remains to be seen.
“I have no idea,’ Paul Felder said of his chances of a return during the UFC Paris pre-fight show ahead of UFC Paris. “I rolled with Michael (Chiesa) today. Honest to God, it blew up on social. I’m back training, I’m enjoying MMA again.”
However, during the conversation, Felder did drop a bit of a bombshell, confirming that he is once again enrolled in the USADA testing pool, meaning that he could potentially strap on the four-ounce gloves after six months of pre-fight screening.
“For all the people that think I need a complete both hip replacements, I have bad hips there’s no secret about that,” Felder added. “I’ve had bad hips for years, but I am back in the USADA testing pool. That’s exactly where I’m at now, but that is it. That is it. I did it just in case, I’m getting old and there might be some old dudes out there that might want to dust it up in six months. Other than that, I have no idea. I’m enjoying training.”
Paul Felder back in the USADA pool. pic.twitter.com/7DYVhHRNmP
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) September 1, 2023
The news comes one week after the emotional retirement of fan favorite, The Korean Zombie. Paul Felder was admittedly teary-eyed during Zombie’s final moments in the MMA game, making him nostalgic about his own career in combat sports.
During his nine-year run in the sport, Felder captured the Cage Fury Fighting Championship lightweight title before making his UFC debut in 2014. ‘The Irish Dragon’ went 9-6 during his tenure, scoring notable wins over Edson Barboza and former lightweight world champion Charles Oliveira.
Felder walked away from the sport after dropping back-to-back bouts against Dan Hooker and Rafael dos Anjos in 2020.
Now if we could just get Conor McGregor to jump back into the USADA testing pool.
