This Saturday at UFC 282, Paddy Pimblett is ready for the biggest fight of his life at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Before Saturday co-main event presentation with Jared GordonPimblett has fought his own mental struggles outside of the cage.
Following Pimblett’s viral post-fight interview that shocked a nation in July earlier this year, Pimblett has continued to push for men’s mental health and encourage those struggling to speak up and seek help.
The night before the Liverpool native weighed in for his fight with Jordan Leavitt at UFC Londonhe received the terrible news that his friend Ricky had committed suicide.
Paddy Pimblett gives a viral interview after the fight
Fighting for something bigger than himself ❤️ #UFCLondon pic.twitter.com/A7aNUFgvPU
—UFC (@ufc) July 23, 2022
In a recent interview with ITV NewsPimblett spoke about his own struggles he faced when he suffered a competition loss in front of his own people in Liverpool.
“You know, I was so embarrassed and embarrassed. I didn’t leave the house for weeks. I thought about suicide,” Paddy admitted.
“I was crying every morning. But because of who I am and what I have to do, I didn’t think I would be able to talk to anyone about it. I just bottled it up and it got worse and worse and worse.”
Pimblett credits his coach, Paul Rimmer, with playing a huge role in him talking about his thoughts and feelings. Forcing him to do it right could be why we’ve seen Pimblett become a global star.
Pimblett grateful for his coach Paul Rimer
“He said you need to talk to people and get this off your chest,” Pimblett recalls.
“So I talked to my trainers at the Next Gen Gym, I talked to my teammates and my fiancée. And when I woke up the next morning, I didn’t cry.
“A problem shared is a problem in half and that is a fact. As soon as you talk to someone about it and they give you some reassurance and some guidance, it feels completely different.”
The 26-year-old labels himself “mentally tough” and now believes that if he can suffer these dark thoughts, anyone can.
After losing his close friend Ricky to suicide and putting on a brave face for the boisterous London crowd the next day, it’s a testament to Pimblett’s mental toughness.
“Finding out what he had done, literally hours before, was exhausting,” says Paddy.
“I went into that fight with a heavy heart. You could see that I didn’t really go into that fight with a plan. I was just trying to rip his head off because it was in the back of my mind.
“Before leaving, I was almost in tears, standing in the back.”
Quotes via ITV News
Now in a good mood and taking over the sport of mixed martial arts, Pimblett has inspired a new wave of people to speak out. He hopes to be a figure in the spotlight and promote men’s mental health. Change can be made.
