UFC Paddy Pimblett star has made the 156lb weight limit for his fight against Jordan Leavitt this weekend, before baring his backside during Friday's weigh-in as a message to his critics.
The star himself has admitted that his weight gain is unsustainable after ballooning to over 200lb in the wake of his stunning victory against Rodrigo Vargas in March. However, he decided to send a message during the weigh-in to criticise those who 'fat-shamed' the star for his lifestyle.
Following his weight gain, the Liverpool born fighter was criticised by Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw, who said that Pimblett would "never become a world champion" if he continued to binge in the wake of his fights. However, following the weigh-in on Friday it was evident that Pimblett was in brilliant shape, which prompted the star to make the gesture.
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The lightweight sent a message after making weight during the televised event, saying: "For everyone who tried to fat-shame me and say I'd miss weight or f***ing pull out, here's me a***,".The star also criticised his opponent Jordan Leavitt during the weigh-in which was broadcast live on BT Sport's weigh-in show, saying that the American was avoiding him while also criticising his appearance.
"It was easy enough, only 11lb. He [Leavitt] looks rough, is he wearing make-up? I've been trying to get a look at him then but he won't even look my direction, he's a mad kid. I'm going to eat some pasta now and come in and punch a hole in his head, put him unconscious, that is exactly the gameplan. I'm going to put it on him, he thinks it's going to be a grappling match and it's not.
"It's going to be a first round knockout, I gave everyone a first round submission [in his last fight with Rodrigo Vargas], now it's time to give everyone a first round knockout. Even a ground-and-pound TKO if I end up on top of him. I expect him to try and make it a boring fight like he does with all of his fights, grappling-heavy, but even when I grapple it's entertaining, it's an exciting fight. But when he grapples he just makes it boring, so I don't like having boring fights.
"I don't like having boring fights, people don't talk about them after. I wrestle every day, as I said yesterday I wrestle with Division 1 wrestlers who wrestle at 84kg and I fight at 77. He's a much higher calibre wrestler than Jordan will ever be. It's going to go off."
