UFC star Paddy Pimblett has admitted that he "cried for three months" while contemplating suicide after losing his Cage Warriors world title in his hometown.
The top lightweight is one of MMA's most beloved figures, known for his bubbly character and outlandish interviews. But he has also become an outspoken advocate for men's mental health issues, telling fans to talk to someone if they are struggling with any demons.
And he has spoken of how depression gripped him after he was beaten by Nad Narimani in 2017 during the main event of a show in his native Liverpool. Pimblett had won the belt less than a year prior and had already defended it once when he faced Narimani, who defeated him by decision over five rounds.
"I felt like the whole weight of the show was on my shoulders," Pimblett said during a recent episode of Pub Talk. "I went into the fight and got him in a choke in the first round. The hand that was broken was underneath so when I was squeezing, I couldn’t get the power on. I ended up burning my arms out. Second round, I punched him, broke my hand again. I had to fight another three rounds and ended up losing a close decision."
"After that fight, I went into a deep, deep, dark depression. I was waking up every morning crying for three months. I thought about taking my own life. I had been offered to sign for the UFC twice at that point and said no. I felt I wasn’t ready. Now, I thought I would never get signed. My hand was broken again. I needed surgery again. I’ve just been embarrassed in my home city in front of everyone. I tried not to leave my house. For three months I cried."
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That loss led to Pimblett being out for almost a year, and while he returned with a quick victory in his next outing, he lost his last contest before coronavirus restrictions shut down the sport. Ultimately, he made the move to lightweight and after back-to-back victories behind closed doors, the Scouse fighter was signed to the UFC.
Since joining the leading MMA promotion, Pimblett has won his three fights by stoppage, going no further than the second round thus far in wins over Luigi Vendramini, Rodrigo Vargas and Jordan Leavitt. He faces Jared Gordon in his first pay-per-view fight next month at UFC 282.
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