Paddy Pimblett Gets Candid About Cage Warriors Defeat in Mental Health Message
Paddy Pimblett reflects on the mental health struggles following his 2018 Cage Warriors loss as the UFC star continues his advocacy.
Paddy Pimblett's rise to UFC stardom has been more than just winning fights inside the Octagon. The Liverpool native once faced a moment of despair when he suffered a devastating defeat in Cage Warriors, making him fear that his dream of reaching the UFC was falling apart.
He has been candid about how deeply the setback affected his mental health. As Pimblett continues to advocate for mental health awareness, his story serves as a reminder that even professional fighters face their own battles and struggles off the mat.
Paddy Pimblett Opens Up About His Cage Warriors Loss
In September 2018, Pimblett faced Søren Bak for the Cage Warriors lightweight championship in Liverpool. He was confident that victory would move him closer to the UFC; however, Pimblett instead suffered a five-round unanimous decision loss.
The defeat left him questioning his future in the sport. Speaking to UFC.com in 2021, Pimblett explained how the loss affected his daily life.
“When I lost that fight, I had a bit of mental health problems, and I got very depressed,” Pimblett said. He recalled believing that his opportunity to compete in the UFC had disappeared, describing mornings when he would wake up crying after his fiancée left for work.
“I thought that life was never gonna get better, to be honest,” he added.
Pimblett eventually began recovering with support from his fiancée, family, gym teammates, and close friends. His experience became an important part of his message about seeking help rather than suffering in silence.
"After I lost the lightweight title in Cage Warriors, I hit a deep depression and realized what I needed to do with myself." Pimblett opened up during an interview and said. "It took realizing who my real mates were, getting my close friends back close, keeping the missus close, everyone in here, my family.
Pimblett Continues to Advocate for Mental Health Awareness
Pimblett has since become an outspoken and passionate advocate for men's mental health, urging people to open up and talk about their struggles instead of letting stigma silence them. He established the Baddy Foundation in 2022 to provide support to people grappling with mental health issues.
His advocacy remains relevant beyond the fighting community. For World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, Liverpool FC featured Pimblett in a campaign encouraging supporters to speak openly about mental health and suicide prevention.
In the campaign, Pimblett shared his own experiences and reflected on losing people close to him to suicide. His willingness to revisit difficult moments from his past highlights a side of the UFC star that fans may not always see. For Pimblett, discussing those struggles is about more than his own journey—it is about encouraging others to seek support when they need it.
