Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or at 988 or touch preventionlifeline.org.
Paddy Pimblett may have recorded a stunning victory against Jordan Leavitt at UFC Fight Night in London, but Saturday’s showdown was an emotional one for the UFC fighter in more ways than one.
After winning the fight, Pimblett took a moment to talk about the importance of men taking care of their mental health. Pimblett revealed after fighting that he died five hours before his weigh-in on Friday, his friend died by suicide.
With tears filling his eyes, Pimblett issued a call to men who may be thinking about suicide, especially those who are falling into the stigma of feeling vulnerable if they discuss what is going on in their life.
“If you have a weight on your shoulders and you think the only way you can solve it is to kill yourself, please talk to someone,” Pimblett said. “Talk to anyone. People would rather … I know I’d rather have my friend cry for me than go to his funeral next week. So please, let’s get rid of this stigma and men start talking.”
Pimblett, who improved to 3-0 in the UFC, also dedicated Saturday’s win to Lee-Joshua Hodgson, a four-year-old who died in June of cancer.
