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Paul Felder: The shocking fight that got him signed to the UFC | CFFC 38 FULL FIGHT HD

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The spectacular spinning heel kick that launched Paul Felder’s career to the UFC stage.

On August 9, 2014, Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder cemented his status as a premier prospect at CFFC 38 inside the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. With his Cage Fury Fighting Championships Lightweight title on the line against Craig “Relentless” Johnson, Felder delivered a highlight-reel finish that served as the final catalyst for his jump to the major leagues.

• Felder entered the CFFC 38 main event with an undefeated 7-0 professional record.
• The knockout victory at 3:44 of the second round secured Felder’s signing with the UFC in August 2014.

The Path to the Championship

Before his breakthrough performance in Atlantic City, Felder had already established himself as a dominant force in the Mid-Atlantic regional scene. He captured the vacant CFFC Lightweight Championship on March 22, 2014, by defeating Marc Stevens via a second-round TKO at CFFC 33.

The spectacular nature of the finish against Johnson at CFFC 38 acted as the final proof of his readiness for the major leagues.

The Defining Moment

The matchup against Johnson at CFFC 38 served as the main event and a critical test for Felder’s title reign. Felder managed the distance throughout the fight, utilizing his striking background to pressure Johnson. At 3:44 of the second round, Felder landed a spinning heel kick that ended the bout immediately, solidifying his reputation as a top-tier prospect.

Transition to the Global Stage

The knockout against Johnson caught the attention of the UFC matchmakers, who signed Felder to the organization within days of the event. This win in Atlantic City marked the end of his regional circuit run, propelling him directly into a promotional debut against Jason Saggo at UFC Fight Night 54 in October 2014.

Following that successful transition, Felder continued to test his skills against elite competition, ultimately leading to high-profile matchups like his split decision war against Dan Hooker that would define his standing in the lightweight rankings.