At a glance
- Former UFC lightweight, 17-6 career record
- Calling fights since September 16, 2017
- Long-term extension announced March 2, 2026
Overview
Paul Felder was born on April 25, 1984, in Philadelphia. Nicknamed "The Irish Dragon," he started martial arts at 12. He earned a second-degree black belt in taekwondo, then added karate, Muay Thai, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Before the UFC, he held the Cage Fury Fighting Championships lightweight title and defended it once. He joined the UFC in 2014 and finished with a 17-6 record. He fought Edson Barboza twice, losing the first bout and winning the rematch at UFC 242. He also faced Rafael dos Anjos and Dan Hooker in fights that earned Fight of the Night bonuses.
What you'll find
Felder started commentating on September 16, 2017, during the first season of the Contender Series, while he was still an active fighter. In May 2021, while on commentary, he said his fight with Dan Hooker may have been his last. Today he works as a booth commentator and desk analyst for UFC events.
In February 2026 he called UFC Fight Night 266 with Laura Sanko and Brendan Fitzgerald. On March 2, 2026, the UFC announced a long-term extension for him, along with new deals for Megan Olivi and Michael Bisping. He also co-hosts the twice-weekly Believe You Me podcast with Michael Bisping.
Why follow
His specialty is striking. He earned three Performance of the Night bonuses, against Danny Castillo, Alessandro Ricci, and Stevie Ray, and his stand-up exchanges built his reputation. In the booth, he explains feints, combinations, and striking angles from the perspective of someone trained in taekwondo and Muay Thai.
Because he started calling fights while still competing, he knows many of the lightweights he analyzes firsthand, having fought them or trained around them. He has also won several awards for his commentary work, and his Believe You Me episodes with Michael Bisping let you hear him discuss those fights in a looser setting.
MMA Official's take
Paul Felder is a good fit for fans who want to read stand-up exchanges better: footwork, rhythm, shot selection. If you train a striking sport such as kickboxing or Muay Thai, his notes point out details you can learn to spot yourself while watching.
Start with a UFC Fight Night where he shares the booth with Laura Sanko: he covers the striking, she covers the ground, and you get both reads on the same card. Then watch his rematch with Edson Barboza at UFC 242 to see how he fought.