Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder announced his retirement from MMA while commentating this weekend’s UFC Fight Night, headlined by a Bantamweight bout between Cody Garbrandt and Rob Font. In a surprising move Conor McGregor has complimented his former rival via Twitter.
McGregor and Felder butted heads earlier this year, when McGregor pointed out that Felder’s surname is, in fact, of German extraction. Paul Felder was given his distinctive nickname early in his career, in reference to both his Irish ancestry (in case the man’s vivid ginger beard wasn’t a dead giveaway), and his shared karate background with another famous “Dragon”: Lyoto Machida. Conor, former Lightweight champion and Dublin native, is fluent in Irish Gaelic, so he knows a thing or two about Irish surnames.
Conor McGregor Changes it Up and is NICE to former rival?
For his part, Felder seemed to take the insult in good humour, pointing out that he was not trying to claim any heritage other than his own, and even offering facetiously to “come out as the German Dragon, just for him” in the event that the two ever faced one another in the Octagon.
Since that seems unlikely given Felder’s retirement, McGregor appears ready to bury the hatchet, referencing Felder’s contentious nickname, and even offering a “Proper Pina Colada” on him. McGregor even hashtagged #respect.
McGregor can certainly afford to buy the first round of drinks next time he and Felder are at the same bar, ideally one without any errant pensioners criticising the Irishman’s whiskey. He was recently named the highest paid athlete in the world, earning more than even European soccer titans Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Whether this is yet another mind game from the former double champ, or if the recent birth of another child has softened the Notorious one’s vicious tongue, remains to be seen. If McGregor’s previous “retirements” (hint: you’re not supposed to have more than one) are anything to go by, Felder may yet return to the Octagon.
Do you think McGregor has turned over a new leaf since his defeat to Dustin Poirier, becoming a more respectful man? Or is this just another instance of the Mystic Mac taking to social media to get into the heads of his opponents?
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