UFC star Paddy Pimblett’s fight outside the Octagon with mental health awareness

It was the post fight speech that changed Paddy Pimblett’s life forever. Pimblett was already a star in the MMA world, with a 19-3 record and the entire city of Liverpool behind him.

Unintentionally, Pimblett’s fame exploded in July 2022 when he spoke about men’s mental health and his friend who had just committed suicide.

“There’s a stigma in this world that men can’t talk, but if you’re a man and you’ve got weight on your shoulders, and you think the only way you can solve it is by killing yourself, please speak to someone,” he said. “Speak to anyone. Get rid of this stigma.”

The speech went viral, and Pimblett says he received messages and calls from fighters, footballers and Hollywood celebrities.

There was even a significant rise in men across the north of England ringing helplines in the week after his speech.

A year-and-a-half later, and Pimblett is still moved by the response.

Paddy Pimblett breaks down after his win over Leavitt. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Paddy Pimblett wears a reminder of his mate who passed away. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

“The fact that more men spoke to people and got stuff off their chest means more to me than any win will,” Pimblett tells this masthead ahead of his UFC 296 showdown with UFC legend Tony Ferguson this weekend.

“The amount of people who came up to me and said, ‘You saved my life. Without you saying that, I would’ve killed myself’…it’s frightening how many men have said that to me to be honest.”

Ironically, it’s a message that Pimblett regularly needs to remind himself of.

Over the past 12 months, the 28-year-old has become a lightning rod for online vitriol after a lacklustre win over Jared Gordon and an ugly falling out with MMA media personality Ariel Helwani.

He was also kept out of the cage by three surgeries – one of which became infected – and admits to going to some dark places himself.

“The first couple of months of this year were tough,” he says. “Really tough, with all the shit people were talking. I had some really dark times.

“(Me speaking out) doesn’t stop people from commenting on my posts things like, ‘Give him some rope, he should hang himself’.

“It doesn’t stop all the negativity in this world. But, if it saves a few lives, then it’s all worth it.

“I have to talk to people and get things off my chest as well. Your mates would rather cry on your shoulder than go to your funeral.

“So, of course, I have to get things off my chest and talk to people as well, otherwise I’d be in a very dark and sad world.”

Things are finally looking up for Paddy the Baddy though. He got married in May, his injuries have healed, he’s moved house and he recently found out his wife, Laura, is expecting twins.

He’s also relishing the prospect of fighting former interim lightweight champion, and fan favourite, Ferguson this weekend.

“I cannot wait,” he says of the fight, which could steal the show from the welterweight world title showdown between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at the top of the card.

“He’s always dangerous,” he said. “He’s going to come at me, trying to take my head off from the opening bell. I’d love to have a war with him, that’s what I’m down for. I’m just out there to prove people wrong, like I’ve been doing since I was a young lad.”

SOURCE: NEWS.COM