“I have no soft tissue left,” Veteran UFC fighter opts out of triathlon racing after years of fighting takes toll on hips

UFC veteran Paul Felder shares news of injury that has him opt out of triathlon.

“I have no soft tissue left,” Veteran UFC fighter opts out of triathlon racing after years of fighting takes toll on hips

Paul Felder announces injury ( Image source: Getty Image )

UFC star Paul Felder has faced an unexpected obstacle in his new triathlon venture, as he shared distressing health news. After retiring from MMA in 2021 while commentating for the UFC, the 39-year-old fighter unveiled concerning information about his health, stemming from years of intense training.

The fighter revealed he had been grappling with hip problems for a while. Unfortunately, after an extended run and bike session, the situation took a severe turn, intensifying his existing hip issues. Subsequent medical tests, including an MRI, disclosed a worrisome scarcity of soft tissue in Paul Felder‘s hips, causing bones to rub against each other.

YouTube video

Facing this health crisis, Felder remains uncertain about the next steps. Taking to Instagram, he expressed, “Some bad news this week. Anyone close to me knows that I’ve had some hip issues for years… all of that kicking and rotating has taken a big toll.” He continued, “After a hard bike and run this week I woke up in some serious discomfort,…long story short…”

FS Video

He further shared, “I have the hips of an 80 year old man. I have no soft tissue left and am grinding bone on bone.. I am pretty sure my season of racing is over…For now time to focus on family time and work!”

Related: “Chopped into pieces and eaten by vultures,” UFC commentator Joe Rogan shocks podcast guest with ridiculous funeral wish

When did Paul Felder retire from the UFC and why?

Paul Felder
Paul Felder after Dan Hooker fight in 2020 ( Image source: Getty Images )

Felder made a significant impact in the UFC lightweight category. At the age of 37, following a string of defeats by decision, he ended his MMA career.

YouTube video

Felder made his public debut at UFC Fight Night 54 back in 2014. Paul managed to accumulate a professional record of 17 wins and 6 losses. His last two fights were against Dan Hooker and Rafael Dos Anjos. They both ended in split decision losses. This was back in 2020. In May 2021, Felder made his retirement from MMA official while serving as a commentator. Felder made the decision not to extend his career artificially.

During the UFC Fight Night 188 post-fight press conference, he openly acknowledged that pursuing the championship belt no longer seemed possible. “…I don’t think I’m going to get to the belt,… ‘I’m not going to be that guy.’”

In case you missed it!