UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett has delivered a firm and personal rejection of the chance to compete on the promotion's historic White House card this summer, prioritising his supporters over a place in history.
The Upcoming Title Shot and a Historic Snub
The outspoken Liverpudlian, known as 'The Baddy', is currently preparing for the biggest fight of his career. On January 24 at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight championship. This opportunity arose after undisputed champion Ilia Topuria announced a break from the sport for personal reasons.
Pimblett earned his shot following a stunning third-round knockout victory over Michael Chandler in April of last year. A win over the dangerous Gaethje would catapult him to the forefront of the division, setting up a future clash with Topuria and cementing his superstar status. Despite this trajectory, Pimblett has drawn a line at participating in the UFC's unprecedented event at the White House, scheduled for June 14 – which also coincides with former President Donald Trump's birthday.
"My Friends and Family Could Not Get There"
While numerous fighters have volunteered for the landmark show, Pimblett's reasoning is rooted in loyalty to his corner. In an interview with MMA Guru, he revealed that the severely limited capacity of the event is the primary deal-breaker.
"I am not too interested in it to be honest, because it will only be a couple of thousand people," Pimblett stated. He emphasised the importance of his personal crowd, saying, "All my friends and family would probably not be able to get there. I do this to entertain the world, but obviously, it's for my friends and family as well."
Highlighting the scale of his usual support, Pimblett added, "I have had to buy 250 tickets for this fight [at UFC 324]. So, I would not be able to get 250 tickets for the White House... so I cannot see myself fighting on that to be honest."
Dana White's Plans for a Washington DC Takeover
UFC CEO Dana White has recently finalised the logistics for the unique event. He confirmed that tickets will not be sold to the general public for the fights on the South Lawn, which will have a live audience of approximately 5,000.
However, White has devised an alternative for fans. The promotion will host a massive outdoor screening across the street at the Ellipse park, with capacity for up to 85,000 spectators. The entire week will transform the capital, with White promising, "We're basically going to take over D.C. that whole week with lots of different things for fight fans."
In a truly cinematic touch, White also revealed that "Fighters will actually walk from the Oval Office to the octagon," creating a one-of-a-kind spectacle. Despite this grand vision, for Paddy Pimblett, the fight game remains a family affair first, leading him to pass on a historic night for a more personal principle.
