Paul Felder hears numerous rumors in his line of labor, however there’s one specifically that positively has him amused.
The UFC light-weight contender and commentator spoke to the media forward of UFC Fight Island 7 this Saturday, and he was requested for his ideas on the pending return of Nate Diaz, one of many promotion’s hottest fighters.
Extra particularly, Felder was requested if he’s the thriller opponent for Diaz’s supposed 2021 comeback.
“No, my God, I’ve had so many individuals tag me and say, ‘UFC within the works, Paul Felder vs. Nate Diaz within the works,’” Felder stated. “When are they gonna name me and inform me about that that since you need to discuss getting motivated and excited, I’d completely love that combat. Like [Dan] Hooker even stated about it, I’ll combat him ‘85, 205, it doesn’t matter, that’s a combat you’re taking.
“Nate’s a legend at this level. I’d love that combat, however no, it’s not me. I want it was me.”
Diaz made no appearances final yr after combating twice in 2019, the place he defeated Anthony Pettis by unanimous resolution at UFC 241 after which misplaced to Jorge Masvidal by third-round physician stoppage in a battle for the “BMF” belt at UFC 244. These have been Diaz’s solely two fights since 2016, the yr that noticed him skyrocket in recognition thanks to 2 high-profile duels with Conor McGregor.
Suffice to say, Diaz will probably be in search of one other marquee opponent when he returns and whereas Felder would leap on the likelihood to be that identify, he wonders if a matchup with high contender like Justin Gaethje is extra prone to be within the works for Diaz.
“I don’t know,” Felder stated.” I do know [Charles] Oliveira stated he didn’t need to combat Gaethje, perhaps Justin [for Diaz],” Felder stated. “I’ve no inside data on this, by the way in which.”
“I’m pondering Justin, but when he slips on a banana peel and might’t do it, I’d be down,” he added.
One factor Felder gained’t do is take the combat on lower than per week’s discover, which he did in his most up-to-date outing to save lots of a Nov. 14 essential occasion when a staph an infection knocked Islam Makhachev out of a gathering with Rafael dos Anjos. Felder dropped a choice to dos Anjos and whereas he’s proud that he went the space with a tricky opponent, that form of short-notice transfer isn’t one thing he’s planning to repeat.
Ideally, his subsequent combat will nonetheless be towards somebody in or across the UFC’s top-10. Felder doesn’t count on to be within the combine for the light-weight title in the intervening time with the likes of Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor, Dan Hooker, Michael Chandler, Oliveira, and Gaethje simply but, however he nonetheless hopes to compete for a UFC championship earlier than his profession is thru and that mission resumes as soon as he ends his present skid.
“You understand me, I’m all the time down for no matter comes my means,” Felder stated. “We’re nonetheless ready to see proper now, however clearly I’m nonetheless within the sport, I’m nonetheless combating. My again’s up towards the wall somewhat bit for myself and my profession. I do know there’s some controversy behind [the Dan Hooker fight] after which the final one I took on 5 days’ discover, however it’s nonetheless a loss. It’s nonetheless two in a row.
“I feel it’s the second time that I’ve been on a two-loss skid and the final time I got here again with a vengeance, so hopefully I can muster that up and get on the market. However I’m not there but, I can’t throw my identify into the top-five with these guys fairly but since you’ve received to win a combat.”
