Paul Felder: ‘The UFC Slapped Me in the Face for the Second Time This Year’

Slapped in the face for the second time this year. Nothing kills ur motivation like training and cutting weight for nothing. Wtf #bullshit

— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) June 28, 2018

Most of the mixed martial arts world nodded its collective head in approval after the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that James Vick would be replacing Al Iaquinta against Justin Gaethje at UFC Fight Night 135. However, UFC lightweight Paul Felder is certainly not happy with the recent changes.

For Felder, this is the second fight in a row, in the same year no less, that he’s been pulled from a fight. Felder and Vick were originally slated to throw down on the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 133 on July 14, until Iaquinta pulled out of his upcoming fight against Gaethje in August. Vick was promptly put in Iaquinta’s place, the UFC announced on Wedensday, leaving “The Irish Dragon” in the lurch.

Earlier this year, Felder was scheduled to take on Iaquinta himself at UFC 223, before “Ragin’” Al was bumped up to the main event against Khabib Nurmagomedov for the interim lightweight strap.

Felder took to Twitter on Thursday to voice his frustrations with the promotion, who he has dutifully served as both an exciting fighter as well as a commentator:

For his part, Vick has certainly earned his shot at a main event against a top ranked lightweight. ‘The Texecutioner” has rattled off four impressive victories in a row, with three of those coming by way of stoppage. Vick has campaigned for a big fight for a little while now, and finally will get what he’s been asking for on Aug. 25.

Meanwhile, the UFC has yet to confirm whether or not Felder will remain on the card with a replacement opponent for July’s card in Idaho, or if he will be moved off of the bill entirely.