UFC star Paddy Pimblett doesn’t have tattoos so he’s ‘more relatable to kids’
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has remarkably claimed he doesn't have tattoos so that he is more relatable to the younger generation.
Taking his record to 20-3 with a controversial victory over Jared Gordon, 'Paddy the Baddy', was handed a unanimous decision win after a closely-fought contest at UFC 282, with all three judges scoring the fight 29-28 in favour of Pimblett.
Also well-known outside the octagon for his constant criticism of the current Conservative government, the Liverpudlian, 27, uses his platform to champion men to speak openly about any mental health struggles, most notably delivering an emotional post-fight interview at UFC London.
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Pimblett, though, is well aware of the responsibility he holds as a role model for young people and has decided against inking his skin to make himself more relatable.
"I look like the kid next door," he previously told the Guardian. "Most fighters show off their big muscles, they sneer and snarl, tattoos all over them. I’ve got this haircut and not a single tattoo. But I turn into a different person in the cage. I get tunnel vision and all I think about is this guy in front of me and how I put him to sleep."
He added: "I see myself being bigger than that, because the sport has evolved even more than when Conor [McGregor] made it mainstream. He had twenty-something lads following him where I’m getting kids from the age of five.
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"Kids look at McGregor and see a big, hard fella with loads of tattoos. Kids have got long, floppy hair, they haven’t got tattoos. They can identify with me."
Not one to forget his influence whilst preparing for war, Pimblett praised latest opponent Gordon as "an inspirational and motivational person" prior to extending his UFC unbeaten streak to four.
"I really like Jared, you know what I mean? We've got mutual respect for each other," said Pimblett before the contest. "I think he's an amazing human being. What he's come back [from] and been through throughout his life, he's turned his life around – he's such an inspirational and motivational person."
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