UFC star Paddy Pimblett has insisted he will not go down the same path as Conor McGregor after already getting caught up in fame as a 21-year-old.
Pimblett, 27, makes his third UFC appearance on Saturday night, when he challenges Jordan Leavitt at The O2 Arena. ‘The Baddy’ has become one of the most talked-about names in the promotion after just two fights, capturing the attention of fans with his exciting fighting style and charismatic personality.
The Liverpudlian has come a long way from growing up on a council estate, recently touring the United States with best friend and fellow UFC star Molly ‘Meatball’ McCann after his last win. Pimblett has promised his performances in the cage will not be affected by his new-found success as he already experienced what it is like to surround himself with the wrong people after winning the Cage Warriors featherweight title.
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He said: "I’ve already had that, not on a bigger scale but when I was 21 and won the Cage Warriors world title. I was hanging around with the wrong people, not being with my proper mates and I split up with my missus. I’m happy that happened to me because I had to hit rock bottom before coming back up." Pimblett's Cage Warriors title reign lasted just one fight, as he lost the belt to Nad Narimani in his second defence of the belt.
McGregor achieved unprecedented fame after becoming the UFC’s first ever two-weight champion six years ago. The Irishman has since failed to replicate the performances he displayed early on in his UFC career and is without a win in over two years. Some fans have warned Pimblett to not let his recent fame catch up with him, but 'The Baddy' has already spent several years preparing himself for that title.
"I’ve said for years I’m going to be the biggest MMA star on the planet," he added. "I’m nearly the biggest star in the UFC already and I’ve only had two fights. Everyone knows I’m the boy. This will be my last fight in the UK for a good few years, until we come here and do Anfield. I will be fighting on pay-per-views in the US."
Pimblett looks for his third consecutive first-round finish against Leavitt after stopping Luigi Vendramini and Kazula Vargas in his maiden UFC bouts. 'The Baddy' has vowed to knock out Leavitt in the opening round of their clash and make the American pay for downplaying his fighting credentials.
