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Paul Felder isn’t retired. He’s just benching himself.

Over the past few months, Felder’s fighting future largely has been unclear. After his February loss to Dan Hooker, Felder (17-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) hinted that fight potentially would be his last.

In recent weeks, however, he’s changed his tune. And on Monday, Felder told MMA Junkie he is now leaning toward fighting again.

“I’m benching myself for a second,” Felder said. “I think that’s the way I would really consider it. I just needed a little break, man. That fight in New Zealand was a tough one. I pour my soul into these fight camps, man. I really don’t hold back. It’s not like I casually take a fight because I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, I think I can beat that guy. How many weeks do we have?’ I really try to make sure I check all the boxes. I did that for that one.

“It was so close, and your heart gets broken with a decision. It’s not like I’m crying about it. I just needed time. That was a lot. I was gone for a long time. … I just wanted to be home for a little bit.”

As soon as the right matchup presents itself, Felder will get back to business. But until then, Felder is in no rush. He’s been busy buying a house and spending time with his family in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To be completely honest, man, I’ve been going through a lot,” Felder said. “I’m busy. I’m buying a house. I’m just in no rush to come back for something that will not excite me. I need the next fight to be something that scares me and gets me training and gets me motivated and gives me a reason to leave at eight, nine, (or) 10 weeks at a time and put my body through what it goes through.

“Look at those guys on Saturday night: Hooker and Poirier. Those guys are going to be hurting for a while. This is a savage sport. If your head is not quite in it, I’m not going to rush back to get into the cage unless it’s something super exciting.”

Speaking of Hooker and Dustin Poirier, Felder says a matchup against either would qualify as a worthwhile fight. He’s also interested in a fight against former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson.

“That is what would bring me back – a rematch with Dan,” Felder said. “Now, it’d just be, ‘Let’s just run it back.’ Listen, I’ve never really sat and whined and complained about the decision. But it was close enough where you could warrant a rematch between us. … So, yeah, (Hooker), Tony Ferguson, Dustin (Poirier). The chances of Conor are probably zero, so I won’t even mention that. That’s just not going to happen. So, yeah, those are the fights that I want.”

One name Felder did not include on his initial list was fellow contender Al Iaquinta. The two fighters have been publicly matched up in the past, but the bout never has come to fruition. The promotion also has discussed on numerous occasions privately – including offers for the two to fight Aug. 15.

“That is true, and I said no,” Felder said of the rumored offer. “I said I want to do ‘Fight Island.’ I want to start a training camp. I want to fight later in the fall. If that’s one of the fights on the table, then possibly. It had nothing to do with Al. I also agreed to fight Al in June, and he hurt his knee again.

“That was probably the third or fourth time that we’ve now been supposedly matched up and something has happened on his end. I know he’s healthy now, and he can be upset all he wants. I don’t really care. He’s selling real estate. I do commentary, Al. I’m doing my second job.”