Paddy Pimblett promises to never go overweight again

Moving forward, Paddy Pimblett aspires to better manage his weight in between bouts.

The 28-year-old Liverpudlian is still aiming to make a UFC comeback by the end of 2023 while he is healing from ankle surgery.

But Pimblett is also aware of his reputation for gaining weight rapidly in between fight camps, and as the veteran lightweight approaches the crucial next phase of his career, he is aware that his problems with the scale remain a barrier that must be overcome if he is to put his best foot forward in his quest for the UFC title.

“I’m hoping to have another three fights in the bag by [the end of 2024], another three wins and be ranked,” Pimblett recently told SLOTHBOXX. “But as I say, we’ll see what happens. People keep asking me, ‘Are you fighting?’ because I’m not that fat at the minute. It’s like, ‘You must have a fight coming up, you lad, you’re normally well fatter than this.’ It’s like, ‘Nah, lad. I’m just not that fat at the minute.’ But that’s what a lot of people keep saying to me, ‘Lad, you’re not that heavy. You must have a fight coming up.’ No, I haven’t.

Now I’m just walking around at about [185 to 187 pounds] and I’m not really watching what I eat or nothing. I’m just hobbling around at that weight, which is nice. I’ve plateaued now finally around this weight, so hopefully I’ll never go above [198 pounds] again.”

Since making his octagon debut in late 2021, Pimblett has amassed a perfect 4-0 UFC record and has become one of the promotion's biggest breakout stars. His first three stoppage wins against Luigi Vendramini, Rodrigo Vargas, and Jordan Leavitt earned him Performance of the Night accolades, but his most recent decision over Jared Gordon at UFC 282 was roundly criticised as one of the most contentious judging decisions of 2022.

Pimblett stated that he is still aiming for a late 2023 UFC comeback, "injury permitting," but he added that he is no longer willing to get "into another fight not 100%."