Paul Felder is an American retired professional mixed martial artist and color commentator currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As a fighter, Felder competed in the UFC’s Lightweight division after making his name in Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC).
You can follow Paul Felder’s biography, personal details, career details, relationship status, net worth, fight purses, career earnings, endorsements, fight records, achievements, and more here.
Paul Felder’s Biography
| Full Name | Paul Felder |
| Nickname | The Irish Dragon |
| Birth Date | April 25, 1984 |
| Height | 5’10” (177.8 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lbs (70.31 kg) |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | – |
| College | University of the Arts |
| Turned Professional | 2011 |
| Current Net Worth | $2 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Unknown |
| Instagram Profile | @felderpaul |
Paul Felder was born on April 25, 1984, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a family with Irish and German roots, which influenced his nickname “The Irish Dragon.”
Felder’s cousin, Niko Portillo, played a significant role in inspiring him to pursue martial arts.
Early Career
Paul Felder’s journey into martial arts began at the age of 12 when he started training in Tae Kwon Do and Karate at Zhang Sah. His cousin, Niko Portillo, was a major inspiration for him to pursue martial arts. They both competed in the Junior Olympics for Tae Kwon Do.
Felder attended Ridley High School and later pursued acting at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, graduating in 2008. His background in acting has contributed to his articulate commentary style and engaging presence in the UFC.
Professional Career
PaulFelder made his UFC debut on October 4, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 54, where he faced Jason Saggo and won by split decision. His early career in the UFC was marked by impressive performances, including a second-round knockout victory over Danny Castillo at UFC 182 on January 3, 2015.
Throughout his career, Felder faced several high-profile opponents. He fought Edson Barboza on July 25, 2015, at UFC on Fox 16, in a bout that earned both fighters Fight of the Night honors despite Felder losing by unanimous decision.
His ability to deliver exciting fights continued with victories over fighters like Charles Oliveira and James Vick. Felder’s fight against Stevie Ray on July 16, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 113 was particularly memorable. He won via knockout in the first round with a knee strike.
In addition to his fighting career, Paul Felder has become a respected color commentator for the UFC. His articulate analysis and deep understanding of the sport have made him a valuable asset to the UFC’s broadcast team.
Felder announced his retirement from professional fighting in May 2021. He left the sport with a professional record of 17 wins and 6 losses.
Relationship Status
Paul Felder is married. The name of his wife is unknown. He has 2 daughters, Aisling and Ruby.
Paul Felder’s Net Worth Details
Paul Felder’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025. This wealth is accumulated from his successful MMA career, commentary work, and endorsements.
Fight Purses
| Date | Opponent | Event | Total Earnings |
| Nov 14, 2020 | Rafael dos Anjos | UFC Fight Night | $142,000 |
| Feb 22, 2020 | Dan Hooker | UFC Fight Night | $142,000 |
| Sep 7, 2019 | Edson Barboza | UFC 242 | $106,000 |
| Feb 17, 2019 | James Vick | UFC on ESPN | $102,000 |
| Jul 7, 2018 | Mike Perry | UFC 226 | $51,000 |
| Dec 2, 2017 | Charles Oliveira | UFC 218 | $65,000 |
| Jul 16, 2017 | Stevie Ray | UFC Fight Night | $109,000 |
| Feb 19, 2017 | Alessandro Ricci | UFC Fight Night | $103,000 |
Career Earnings
Paul Felder’s total recorded fight earnings amount to approximately $1,175,000. This figure includes his base salaries, win bonuses, performance bonuses, and sponsorship deals.
His largest single payout came from his fight against Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night: Felder vs. Hooker, where he earned $142,000
Endorsements
Paul Felder, throughout his career as a mixed martial artist and UFC commentator, has been involved with several endorsements and sponsorships.
Here are some key points about his endorsements:
- Reebok
- Nike
Fight Records
| Category | Stats |
| Total Fights | 23 |
| Wins | 17 |
| Losses | 6 |
| Draws | 0 |
| Wins by Knockout | 10 |
| Wins by Submission | 1 |
| Wins by Decision | 6 |
| Losses by Knockout | 1 |
| Losses by Submission | 0 |
| Losses by Decision | 5 |
Achievements
- CFFC Lightweight Champion
- Multiple Performance of the Night awards
- Multiple Fight of the Night honors
- Successful transition to UFC commentator
FAQs
1. Who is Paul Felder?
Paul Felder is a retired American mixed martial artist and current UFC commentator. Known as “The Irish Dragon,” he competed in the UFC’s lightweight division and held a professional MMA record of 17 wins and 6 losses. He is also a black belt in Taekwondo and Shotokan Karate.
2. What is Paul Felder’s MMA record?
Paul Felder’s professional MMA record stands at 17 wins and 6 losses. Of his victories, 10 were by knockout, 1 by submission, and 6 by decision. He also earned multiple “Performance of the Night” and “Fight of the Night” awards during his UFC career.
3. Why did Paul Felder retire from MMA?
Paul Felder retired in May 2021, citing a lack of motivation to pursue training and concerns about long-term health risks associated with fighting. He also felt he was unlikely to achieve a UFC championship at that stage in his career.
4. What titles has Paul Felder held?
Paul Felder was the Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) Lightweight Champion, successfully defending the title once before joining the UFC. He also holds a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
5. What inspired Paul Felder to transition to triathlon?
After retiring from MMA, Paul Felder pursued triathlon competitions, inspired by professional triathlete Lionel Sanders. He qualified for the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship, showcasing his competitive spirit beyond combat sports.
6. What are some highlights of Paul Felder’s UFC career?
Notable moments include his spinning backfist knockout against Danny Castillo and his split-decision victory over Edson Barboza at UFC 242. His fights against Dan Hooker and Rafael dos Anjos earned him “Fight of the Night” honors.
7. What does Paul Felder do now?
Paul Felder works as a commentator for the UFC and ESPN, analyzing fights and sharing insights from his MMA career. He also participates in triathlons and balances family life as a father and husband.
8. How did Paul Felder earn the nickname “The Irish Dragon”?
Paul Felder’s nickname reflects his Irish heritage and his fierce fighting style, which combines Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Shotokan Karate, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
9. What is the “Paul Felder Curse”?
Fans coined the term “Paul Felder Curse” after noticing that fighters who defeated him often lost their next bout. This trend has been observed across all five of his UFC losses.
10. What educational background does Paul Felder have?
Paul Felder graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia with a degree in acting before transitioning to combat sports full-time. His theatrical training contributed to his charismatic presence as a commentator.
