From acting student to UFC commentator: the dual career of Paul Felder

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before he was a prominent voice in the UFC broadcast booth, Paul Felder was a professional fighter known as "The Irish Dragon." His journey from a University of the Arts acting graduate to a multi-time Performance of the Night winner reveals a career defined by high-stakes versatility and unexpected transitions.

Born on April 25, 1984, Paul Felder began his martial arts journey at age 12, training in Tae Kwon Do and Karate at Zhang Sah. This foundation eventually led to a professional mixed martial arts career in 2011. Before entering the UFC, Felder established himself in the Mid-Atlantic region, specifically within the Cage Fury Fighting Championships, where he became the Lightweight Champion after a second-round knockout of Marc Stevens. He is of Irish and German descent. His early training included competing for the AAU Junior Olympic Games in Tae Kwon Do.

Felder's tenure in the UFC's Lightweight division was marked by both significant victories and controversial decisions. He earned three Performance of the Night awards for his bouts against Danny Castillo, Alessandro Ricci, and Stevie Ray. His ability to deliver high-action spectacles was further evidenced by three Fight of the Night honors, earned during matchups against Edson Barboza, Dan Hooker, and Rafael dos Anjos. Notably, his 2015 bout with Barboza was ranked as the #8 Fight of the Year. His fight against Edson Barboza was also named the Fight of the Month in September 2019. He also received a Performance of the Night bonus for his victory over Alessandro Ricci.

Beyond the cage, Felder possesses a background in the arts, having graduated from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 2008 with a degree in acting. This training likely informs his transition to color commentary, a role he began in September 2017. Despite announcing his retirement from MMA in May 2021, Felder returned to the UFC roster in September 2023, continuing a career that has bridged the gap between combat and broadcasting. He first provided commentary for the UFC during a Fight Night event in Pittsburgh. His return to competition followed a brief retirement announcement made during a broadcast.

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