Pimblett Addresses Weight Gain Speculation

Paddy Pimblett, a prominent English mixed martial artist (MMA), has refuted claims suggesting he gained 40 pounds following his recent fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 314, dismissing these rumors as exaggerated.

The lightweight competitor weighed in at 156 pounds before his April match with Chandler. However, shortly after the fight, Pimblett revealed his weight had risen to 198 pounds, surprising many observers.

Responding to the widespread speculation, Pimblett clarified that the weight increase happened in the 24 hours between the weigh-in and the actual fight, rather than resulting from poor dietary habits afterward.

Pimblett’s Statement

“It’s amusing, isn’t it? It’s wild. People imagine I added like 30 or 40 pounds,” Pimblett remarked, addressing fan comments about his post-fight physique.

“My face might look a little rounder. I weigh in at 156, yet people claim, ‘Oh, he’s gained 40 pounds.’ That’s inaccurate because I enter the cage the next day at approximately 185 pounds. Thus, my weight increases by about 10 to 15 pounds from my actual fighting weight.”

Pimblett acknowledged previous mistakes in his career but stressed his improved professionalism in his last two fights.

“I made some unwise choices earlier in my career, but in my two most recent fights, I’ve managed everything correctly. I execute it perfectly,” he asserted.

“I constantly encounter comments on platforms like YouTube stating, ‘Oh, he’ll struggle to make weight soon.’ Yet, my most recent weight cut was the simplest I’ve ever undergone.”

Future Prospects

Looking forward, Pimblett is just one victory away from potentially contending for the lightweight title. The British fighter is aiming for a match against Justin Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion.

A win against Gaethje would set Pimblett up to challenge the winner of the Ilia Topuria versus Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 317 on June 28, which will determine the new 155-pound champion.

“I firmly believe that if I defeat Gaethje, I’m next in line,” Pimblett declared.

“It could be the next step for me, yes. The question is whether he agrees to it or not, isn’t it? He would be facing someone lower in the rankings again. I would prefer to fight him in Abu Dhabi in October, during that Pay-per-view event. That is when I want to compete. That’s my target, and after my performance against Chandler, I am confident I would defeat Justin Gaethje,” he concluded.