Make no mistake about it: Paul Felder had one of those nights Saturday that proved a fighter can win even when his opponent is the one who gets his hand raised.
Felder (17-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) met former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos on just five days’ notice in the main event of UFC Fight Night 182 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
RDA displayed the former version of himself that once made him the world’s top 155 pounder in earning a decision victory over Felder on scores of 47-48, 50-45, and 50-45.
But Felder put in a valiant effort in defeat, making the bout compelling enough to earn “Fight of the Night” honors. Then he went out and put in one of the most fiery MMA interviews you’ll ever see with Michael Bisping during the ESPN+ post-fight show.
That’s already the type of thing that will raise your stock with your fans. Then, later in the night, footage of Felder being stitched up appeared on Instagram. Nearly 37 minutes, in fact.
Some of this footage is not for the squeamish. But if you don’t mind the sight of a medical procedure, Felder is in a remarkably chipper mood given what he’s going through, and offers the same honest insight into his own performance that he gives others when he’s working as a UFC color commentator.
“You forget about the money when you’re in there,” Felder says at one point. “You’re not thinking about the money when he’s kicking me in my ribs … and the coaches are yelling at you, ‘This is your cage,’ and you’re thinking, ‘Is it, though? He’s hitting me really hard.'”
You can check out the full video courtesy Brian Butler of Sucker Punch entertainment, below:
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