Paddy Pimblett reacts to winning award for UFC London speech by reiterating importance of men's mental health
Men's mental health has been a very important issue for Paddy Pimblett. Despite being heavily criticized for his rant about Ariel Helwani, the UFC lightweight has received a lot of praise for shedding light on men's mental health. He was awarded the BT Sport's Fight Week Special award for doing so.
Pimblett opened up about receiving the award and used the time to address his post-fight speech. He mentioned that his goal is to continue making the world a better place, saying:
"I wanna thank everyone for this award to be honest and for reaching out and speaking to me after everything that happened. Hopefully we could make the world a better place."
A battle that no one should do alone 🤝
Well said Paddy ❤️ https://t.co/QM5xxAnhgF
While accepting his award, 'The Baddy' also touched on mental health being viewed in a negative light and that he hopes it changes in the next few years. He mentioned that he is hopeful and optimistic that his post-fight speech can change that and end the stigma around mental health, saying:
"Hopefully in the next few years, suicide isn't the biggest killer of men between 18 and 50, and my speech actually meant something. And that's what I'm hopeful for, that in the next few years that everything's different and suicide isn't looked the way that it is at the minute. Men's mental health and mental health in general is looked at in a much brighter way."
Pimblett has a great opportunity with a large platform to make a positive impact, especially considering he has become one of the most popular fighters in the UFC.
Paddy Pimblett urges men to speak more about mental health
It was an emotional scene when Paddy Pimblett fought Jordan Leavitt at UFC Fight Night 208 this past July.
'The Baddy' submitted 'The Monkey King' via rear-naked choke in the second round. However, his post-fight interview was more significant than his win. He brought up that he found out that one of his friends had committed suicide and was very emotional ahead of the fight.
The 27-year-old used his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping to urge men to speak about their mental health, saying:
"Please speak to someone. Speak to anyone. I know I'd rather have me mate cry on me shoulder than go to his funeral next week. Let's get rid of this stigma and men start talking."
"I know I'd rather they cry on my shoulder than go to his funeral next week. ... Let's get rid of this stigma and men start talking."
Paddy Pimblett on men's mental health after his @ufc win today. He found out Friday that his friend had killed himself.
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