The main event of UFC Fight Night 168 went the distance and lived up to excitement building towards the highly anticipated lightweight showdown between Paul Felder and Dan Hooker. After 25 minutes of brutal battle, it was the No. 7-ranked Hooker who had his hand raised, scoring a split decision win over No. 6-ranked Felder (48-47, 48-47, 47-48).
After a bit of war of words prior to the fight, Hook refused Felder's offer to touch gloves before the fight, setting the tone of what would be an intense and memorable five-round war. Hooker came out strong with an emphasis on calf kicks, but it was a strike at the end of the round that led to Felder's right eye getting swollen.
The always-tough Paul Felder showed little concern over the swelling and came out aggressive. Heated exchanges dominated the majority of the remaining rounds and while Felder was wearing more of the damage on his face, he actually led the fight in strikes. But with the numbers so close, a last-minute takedown by Hooker in the final round might have been enough to get him the points needed to secure the win.
After the fight, a disappointed Paul Felder suggested this could be his last match. “This might be it for me,” an emotional Felder told the crowd, citing the difficulty in being away from his family and four-year-old daughter. The 35-year-old Felder would retire with a professional MMA record of 17-5.
As for Hooker, he'll continue to move up in the lightweight rankings. For his next fight, he called out the No. 4-ranked Justin Gaethje, winner of three-straight fights, including Donald Cerrone in September.