UFC superstar Paddy Pimblett delivered a powerful tribute as he reflected on two tragic deaths and men's mental health following his victory at UFC London on Saturday evening.
Pimblett, returning to the cage for the first time since his submission victory over Rodrigo Vargas in March, put on a fantastic showing against American Jordan Leavitt - winning the second round through submission in just his third UFC outing.
But following his win, the 27-year-old, from Huyton, discussed two tragedies that occured during the build-up to the fight including the recent death of his close friend - and used his post-match interview as a platform to encourage men to speak out about their mental health troubles.
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READ MORE: Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann pay tribute after death of four-year-old Lee
"Yeah, once again I'm disappointed in my performance lad, that's not me," said Pimblett while speaking to former UFC champion Michael Bisping. "In the back, I was firing on all cylinders, that was sh**. Pardon my French - I'm better than that."
"I love each and every single person sitting in this crowd, they're the best," said The Baddy.
"I want to dedicate this fight to little 'baby Lee', a little warrior and more of a fighter than any of us will ever be. But also I woke up on Friday morning at 4am to a message that one of my friends back home had killed himself - this was five hours before my weigh-in - so Ricky lad that was for you.
"There's a stigma in this world that men can't talk. Listen, if you're a man and you've got a weight on your shoulders and you think the only way you can solve it is by killing yourself - please speak to someone. Speak to anyone.
"I know I'd rather me mate cry on my shoulder than go to his funeral next week." So please, let's get rid of this stigma and men start talking."
Pimblett and fellow Scouser Molly McCann, who also won her bout, paid tribute to the pair's tragic deaths as they sported t-shirts upon the arrival at the O2 Arena.
'Baby Lee' passed away on June 26 after a battle with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma alveolar, a disease which is extremely rare and forms in the soft tissue.
Speaking at the press conference ahead of his fight, earlier this week, Pimblett was quick to pay tribute to Lee and the traumatic events the baby's family had been through since his death.
"I went to his funeral the other week," said the UFC star. "It was hard. Very hard. You shouldn't ever have to go to a four-year-old's funeral. It's something no-one should ever have to do. Especially his mum and dad.
"I stood with Molly, and my missus, crying my eyes out. I'm going to do this fight for him. Seeing that little man smile when I won that last fight, and at the weigh-in last time, it made it all worth it.
"I know he's going to be looking down. The little angel he is. I know he's going to be in there with me."
