Paul Felder explains why Raphael Dose accepted the Anzos fight

24 hours ago, Milk fields I don’t even know if he will step back into the UFC cage – but on Saturday, he will do it.

It is not common practice among MMA fighters to accept a five-round fight in a five-day announcement against a former UFC lightweight champion. However, Felter (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) will do it when he takes action Raphael Dose Anzos At the UFC Fight Night 182 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas – he accepted on Monday after Islam Mahashev’s departure.

“I thought about it, I lost everything that happens in the world, the sad things that happen in people’s lives, the jobs, the suffering, I lost Alex Trebeck with pancreatic cancer, I was like, ‘Man, you know you’re still 36. You’m in shape. Save the date. Get the money. Be happy. You are fighting against a myth, ” Felder said. An interview with ESPN On Monday. “What should I lose?”

Time could not have been better for Felder. Felder has been declining in recent weeks in preparation for the upcoming triathlon, usually walking around around 200 pounds. Although he is not yet in lightweight territory, Felder revealed he needs to lose 14 to 23 pounds before the official weight loss on Friday.

“I’m fine (180),” Felder said. “I’m in my 70s. I give it to you. I am in my 70s. With a little time and water loading and dehydration, I will be fine. ”

So why not take a catchweight? Felder and Dos Anjos (30-13 MMA, 18-11 UFC) have both competed in the welterweights in the past, although they often weigh in at 155 pounds. According to Felder, Dos Anjos focused on making his mark on the lightweight and turned it into a set-in-stone condition that the fight would take place there.

“I think he really wants to come back at 155 and give himself a chance,” Felder said. “Frankly, we talked about catchwhites. But I know with important events, if possible, they want to put it in the weight class. It’s one thing, ‘Do you think you can create it?’ It’s not going to be fun, but I’m going to make it. ”

Unlike many last-minute major event changes, the Felder vs. Dose Anjos is still a five-round fight. Felder indicated he was interested in the decision to fight for 25 minutes.

“I like five round fights,” Felder said. “If you’re going to do a major event, I want to do it right. That’s what he’s planned to do. Yes, five rounds. I’m excited to do five more rounds, especially with someone like RDA. It’s an experience. We’re going to see. My brain is new, my body is new, I’m not picking up on sparring as usual, but I’m still technically sharp, very fit, so we’ll see. ”

Felder, who recently openly considered MMA retirement, sees the fight as a loss-free situation. There is a chance to further improve his brand, whether he wants to win – and the risk, if he loses, is low.

“I knew I was nearing the end of my career soon,” Felder said. “It’s a win – win for me, because if I can go there and finish the former champion RDA, it gives me a lot of selling points to get into these big fights. I’m in the top five in the lightweight division at UFC. Won’t you give me something bigger after this if I go up the stairs? And if it doesn’t go my way, I saved that day. I’m going there to try to win, so we’ll see. ”

According to Felder, he is more likely to win than to retire from MMA competition. A win allows him to travel into the sunset, while a loss renews the need to prove himself.

“I say 50-50 (this is my last fight),” Felder said. “I was thinking about it. One way of how to be, ‘Boom. Mike-Drop. ‘So, yes, (pension discrepancies) will probably increase. If I lose, I still have to go back to a place. (Dan) It might just leave me like Hooker fought. I was ready to move on, and then like that, you have not yet proven what I can do. ”

UFC Fight Night 182 airs on UFC Apex and ESPN + streams in Las Vegas on Saturday.