Paddy Pimblett Issues Stern Warning to UFC Over Early-Year Fight Bookings
Paddy Pimblett has delivered a blunt message to UFC president Dana White and the promotion's leadership, insisting they must never schedule him for a January card again. The Liverpudlian fighter, known for his charismatic personality and post-fight indulgences, is gearing up for what he describes as his most formidable challenge yet.
Holiday Sacrifices Spark Fighter's Ultimatum
In a recent appearance on the CBS Sports' Champions League 'Goalazo' show, Pimblett expressed his frustration with the early timing of his upcoming bout. "I've never fought this early before. This is the earliest I've ever fought," he stated emphatically. "I'm never, ever fighting in January or February ever again. I just hope everyone at the UFC knows that, because it ruined my Christmas, ruined my birthday." He further clarified that future fights should be booked from March onwards, highlighting the personal toll of missing festive celebrations and favourite foods like cheeseboards.
Weight Management and Career Focus
Pimblett's career has been marked by dramatic weight fluctuations, with his post-fight junk food binges often pushing him above 200lb. However, after his victory over Jared Gordon, he adopted a more disciplined approach, maintaining around 185lb during off-periods. The 31-year-old has since vowed to never exceed 200lb again, demonstrating a renewed commitment to his professional regimen. Despite concerns over a viral video showing him vaping during training with heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, Pimblett remains confident about his condition, noting, "I've still got weight to lose but I've got less weight to lose now than I did have 12 hours before I fought Michael Chandler. I'm flying, I'm absolutely flying."
Historic Fight and Fan Reactions
This Saturday night at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, a pivotal moment in his MMA journey. Historically, his earliest UFC fight was on March 19, 2022, with his previous earliest bout dating back to February 24, 2018, under Cage Warriors. The upcoming clash has generated significant buzz, with fans reacting strongly to the vaping footage. Comments ranged from predictions of "JUSTIN VIA DOMINATION" to concerns about his long-term health, though fellow fighter Leah McCourt noted that many athletes engage in similar habits.
Event Details and Viewing Information
The highly anticipated Pimblett vs. Gaethje fight is set for Saturday, January 24, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Key timings for UK viewers include:
- Early prelims: Approximately 10pm GMT
- Standard prelims: 12am GMT on Sunday
- Main card: 2am GMT on Sunday
- Main event walkouts: Around 4am GMT on Sunday
In the UK, the event will be available on TNT Sports Box Office for £19.99 via platforms like discovery+, EE TV, Prime Video, Sky, and Virgin Media TV, with no TNT Sports subscription required. For US audiences, Paramount+ will stream the action, marking a new broadcast partnership for the UFC.
As Pimblett steps into the octagon for this career-defining bout, his ultimatum to the UFC underscores the personal sacrifices fighters make, blending athletic dedication with the demands of a gruelling schedule.
