If his fights weren’t proof enough, no there is now even more evidence that Paul Felder is as tough as they come.
According to a statement released by Felder’s management, Sucker Punch Entertainment, “The Irish Dragon” suffered a “small collapse” to his lung during his win over James Vick at UFC on ESPN 1 on Sunday night. According to a report from ESPN, the injury was sustained when Felder took a blow to the ribs late in the third round of the lightweight fight at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.
The fighter is being held at an area hospital an extra day for observation. As a result of his injury, Felder has been removed from commentary duties at the upcoming UFC Prague event on Saturday. The man himself seems to be taking everything in stride:
I got two lungs… I just want a beer for shitsake
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) February 18, 2019
The Philadelphia native scored a unanimous verdict over Vick in Sunday’s co-main event for his fourth win in his last five UFC appearances. Afterward, he targeted the winner of the UFC on ESPN 2 headliner between Justin Gaethje and Edson Barboza for his next fight.
“I think I’m a sick individual, just got done getting the crap beat out of me and going back and forth with one of the bigger guys in the division and now I want one of the toughest guys in the division,” he said. “I understand I might not get that fight if Gaethje wants to go on and pursue the title if he beats a guy like Barboza. I’ve learned from broadcasting that you’ve got to go in there with some names and go in there with a motive, so as soon as they gave me the mic I knew there was a big lightweight fight coming up so I went for it. I’m only in this to work my way towards the title, this was that step for 2019, I’m already off to a better start than 2018.”