Paddy Pimblett’s wife has posted a heartfelt tribute to the UFC star following his defeat by Justin Gaethje on Saturday night.
Laura Pimblett, with whom the fighter has two twin girls, took to Instagram, writing: ‘Forever proud of you. Love you so so much.’
She shared a number of photos of the 31-year-old MMA star in which the damage from the UFC 324 main event could be seen.
In many of them, Pimblett was wearing sunglasses but one image where they shared a kiss showed his eyes swollen up and purple from the bruising sustained.
The Liverpool fan favourite appeared in high spirits in spite of his first defeat in the UFC in his interim lightweight title fight.
He smiled in the photos and shared a message on his own Instagram account, taking the loss in his stride.
Paddy Pimblett (right) showcases the damage suffered in his fight with Justin Gaethje in a photo shared by his wife, Laura (left)
‘The Baddy’ went five rounds with Gaethje and lost on the scorecards in Las Vegas
Pimblett wrote: ‘Hope everyone enjoyed my fight just as much as I did, want to thank everyone that came to support and everyone watching at home.
‘I’m all good no injuries went into the fight feeling amazing had a great camp and an easy weight cut no excuses the better man won on the night congratulations brother it was an honour to share the cage with such a legend go get that undisputed title ur career deserves it hopefully we can run it back for the undisputed because I still know it’s in my destiny to win that gold!
‘Thank you for the opportunity yous all know I’ll be back for that belt in the near future.’
Gaethje, 37, is a legend of the sport and proved just too much for the British fighter at the T-Mobile Arena.
He won an enthralling five-round battle but did not have it all his own way, with Pimblett performing well in the first and third rounds in particular.
‘The Baddy’ was dropped three times in the fight but kept battling on to hear the final bell.
The judges scored it 48-47 49-46 and 49-46, with Pimblett’s seven-bout winning run in the promotion coming to an end.
He said afterwards: ‘You live and you learn; I’m 31, I will be back better. You haven’t seen the last of me.
Laura paid tribute to her husband on Instagram after his first defeat in the UFC
Pimblett had his moments against the veteran American but was ultimately beaten
‘I wanted to be walking away with that belt. I know how tough I am and I don’t need to prove that to anyone.
‘There is no man I’d rather lose to than [Gaethje]. He is someone I loved watching growing up and it shows why he is a legend.
‘I think 48-47 was a fair scorecard. I won’t lie, he hit me with a body shot in the first round and it got me. I thought I was winning the round up to that point.’
Gaethje added: ‘Paddy is right – Scousers do not get knocked out!
‘I knew I had to put him on his back foot. He is very dangerous and has great timing. I had to steal his momentum and confidence.’
