Retired MMA fighter Paul Felder is considering a comeback to the sport, with a potential match against Jim Miller at UFC 300 possibly influencing his decision.
Paul Felder’s been mulling over a possible MMA comeback. Jim Miller’s UFC 300 call-out might’ve tipped the scales.
Felder’s been retired since 2021. He’s been a color commentator for UFC broadcasts, tried his hand at acting, and even competed in triathlons. But then, he saw “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung‘s final fight in August. That got him thinking about a return.
In August, Felder rejoined the UFC’s anti-doping program. It’s a six-month process before a retired athlete can compete again. Felder’s been clear, though, he’s not made a final decision. But a chance to fight a legend like Miller at UFC 300 in April? That could be the push he needs.
“Anyone who knows me knows Jim was the name,” Felder said post-UFC Vegas 84. “If I’m gonna do it, I want it to be against a guy like Jim. Someone my age, who’s been in the game a long time. I’m not looking to make a run for the belt or anything.”
Even before the broadcast team sat down with the athletes ahead of Saturday’s event, Felder was hearing calls for a fight with Miller at UFC 300.
Miller’s submission of Gabriel Benitez and his post-fight interview mention of Felder as an ideal opponent for April? That might just be the perfect bait to lure the Philadelphia native back into the ring.
“If you call me out, Jim, I’d be interested,” Felder admitted. “He’s like, ‘If you get me a job sitting next to you at the desk, we’ll make it a deal.’ I think they’ll at least be calling him for an audition soon. When he said that, it’s like, damn, now he’s setting me up. I’ve got to get back in the gym and see how things feel.”
The idea of fighting “Jim f****** Miller” at UFC 300 is both tough and tempting for Felder. He knows it’d be a fan favorite, a standup battle with no takedowns.
But Felder wanting the fight and Miller calling for it doesn’t guarantee it’ll happen.
The ultimate decision lies with the UFC. Felder’s not sure the promotion will approve the matchup. Miller also mentioned UFC welterweight knockout king Matt Brown as another potential opponent. So, Felder might not even get the offer.
“It’s also up to the UFC, too, right?” Felder said. “I haven’t pressed the issue. Sean [Shelby] knew he wanted to test me out to see if I was being flaky. I’ve done it in the past where I’m like, ‘I’m coming back! I’m going to make a run for it,’ and then I just don’t.”
Felder’s been out of the ring for over two years, but he’s still training. He’s also been competing in endurance sports like marathon racing, triathlons, and Iron Man competitions. He claims he’s in the best shape of his life. But those sports aren’t MMA.
For now, Felder’s discussing a possible comeback with his wife and family. He’s also hitting the gym again while waiting for word from the UFC.
If the call never comes or Felder decides he’s better off retired, he won’t be too disappointed. He knows MMA is a brutal, relentless sport.
“Everyone keeps saying, ‘You’re going to regret it if you don’t do it.’ I don’t know if that’s true,” Felder said. “Fighting’s hard. It’s hard on the body. It’s hard emotionally. It’s stressful. It’s scary. I’m not jumping back into it and now that I broadcast, I see it all the time. I see how people are weight cutting. I see how people are fight week, the anxiety, the highs and the lows.”
UPDATE: Felder posted a brief update on Instagram. It seems to shut down any hope of him getting Miller at UFC 300.
“Looks like the Miller fight isn’t actually on the table, per high sources,” Felder wrote. “Oh well. I will continue to push limits in or out of the cage.”