Paddy Pimblett has never been a fighter who blends into the background. From his walkouts to his interviews, everything about him invites attention.
But with attention comes criticism, and according to Paddy himself, it feels like no matter what he does, people refuse to give him credit.
In a recent interview with MMA Guru, Paddy Pimblett opened up about something that has clearly been bothering him for a long time.
The Liverpool fighter spoke honestly about how fans, critics, and even MMA insiders view him. His main point was simple but powerful: people don’t want to accept that he is better than they think.
This article breaks down everything Paddy said, why he believes the hate follows him, and whether the criticism around his career is fair or not.
Paddy Pimblett and the Weight of Public Opinion
Since joining the UFC, Paddy Pimblett has been under a microscope. Every performance is judged more harshly than most fighters on the roster.
According to Paddy, this isn’t because of his skills inside the Octagon, but because of the image people have already formed in their minds.
During the interview, Paddy said he doesn’t fully understand why so many fans dislike him.
He believes many people made their judgment early and now refuse to change it, even when his performances prove them wrong.
He pointed out that when he wins, people look for excuses. When he finishes opponents, critics downplay the achievement. And when the UFC rewards him, fans cry favoritism.
To Paddy, it feels like a no-win situation.
“They Don’t Want to Accept I’m Better Than They Thought”
One of the strongest lines from the interview was Paddy admitting that fans simply don’t want to admit they were wrong about him.
Many people labeled him as hype from the start, a fighter carried by promotion, crowd support, and personality rather than skill.
Paddy believes that the label is stuck, and no matter what he does, people refuse to let go of it.
He explained that when he improves, people say his opponent was weak. When he dominates, they say the opponent was past their prime. In his mind, the goalposts keep moving.
This frustration has clearly built up over time.
The Michael Chandler Comparison That Sparked Debate
Paddy Pimblett made a very specific comparison during the interview, and it perfectly explains his argument.
He pointed to the fight where Charles Oliveira defeated Michael Chandler by decision. After that win, Charles received a title shot, and almost nobody complained.
- Fans accepted it.
- The media supported it.
- The MMA world moved on.
But Paddy believes the reaction would be very different if the same situation involved him.
According to Paddy, if he beats Michael Chandler, and not just beats him but finishes him, people still wouldn’t accept that he deserves a title shot. Instead, critics would say it was unfair or rushed.
From Paddy’s point of view, the standard changes when his name is involved.
Why Fans Question Paddy Pimblett’s Title Shot Chances
A big part of the criticism comes from how quickly Paddy has been pushed into major conversations. Many fans feel he hasn’t faced the same level of competition as other contenders.
But Paddy argues that this logic is selective.
He believes other fighters have been rewarded for similar wins without nearly the same backlash. When those fighters succeed, fans praise their rise. When Paddy succeeds, fans question the system.
This double standard is what bothers him most.
Paddy Pimblett on Beating Justin Gaethje
Paddy didn’t stop with just one example. He went further and explained how he thinks fans would react even if he beat one of the most respected fighters in the division.
He said that if he beats Justin Gaethje, people would immediately say Justin is old or past his prime.
Instead of praising Paddy for the win, critics would shift the narrative. The focus wouldn’t be on Paddy’s performance, but on excuses for Gaethje.
This mindset, according to Paddy, proves that many people are waiting for reasons to discredit him rather than judge him fairly.
What If Paddy Pimblett Beats Ilia Topuria?
The same pattern applies to other potential matchups.
Paddy mentioned that if he were to defeat Ilia Topuria, the response would still be negative. Critics would argue that Ilia is smaller or that the weight difference played a role.
Again, the win would come with conditions.
Paddy believes no matter who he beats, there will always be an explanation that removes credit from him.
The Role of Personality in the Hate
One reason Paddy Pimblett divides opinion so strongly is his personality.
He’s loud. He’s confident. He speaks his mind. He celebrates his wins with emotion. For some fans, that makes him entertaining. For others, it makes him annoying.
Paddy understands that his personality isn’t for everyone, but he feels that personal dislike often turns into unfair criticism of his fighting ability.
He believes many fans judge him first as a character and only later as a fighter, which affects how his performances are viewed.
Is the UFC Protecting Paddy Pimblett?
Another common accusation is that the UFC protects Paddy by giving him favorable matchups.
Paddy doesn’t deny that the UFC sees value in him, but he rejects the idea that his wins are handed to him. He believes he still has to step into the cage and do the work.
From his perspective, no fight is easy at the UFC level. Every opponent is dangerous. And finishing fighters inside the Octagon should matter more than online opinions.
Why Paddy Pimblett Still Keeps Winning
Despite all the noise, Paddy Pimblett continues to win. That fact alone keeps him relevant and moving forward.
He trains hard, improves each camp, and delivers results when it matters. While critics argue online, Paddy collects paychecks and victories.
This contrast between online hate and real-world success is something Paddy seems to have accepted, even if it still frustrates him.
Mental Strength Behind Paddy Pimblett’s Confidence
One thing that stood out in the interview was Paddy’s mental approach.
He doesn’t deny the hate affects him, but he refuses to let it define him. Instead, he uses it as fuel. Every negative comment becomes motivation to prove people wrong.
Paddy believes confidence is misunderstood. When other fighters show belief in themselves, they are praised. When he does it, he’s labeled arrogant.
But in his view, believing in yourself is necessary to survive at the highest level of MMA.
Fans, Fairness, and the Future of Paddy Pimblett
Whether people love him or hate him, Paddy Pimblett is impossible to ignore.
His comments with MMA Guru highlight a larger issue in MMA culture, how narratives are created and how hard it is for fighters to escape them.
Paddy feels his story was written early, and now he’s fighting not just opponents, but expectations.
The question moving forward is simple: how many wins will it take for people to change their minds?
If Paddy keeps finishing opponents and moving up the rankings, the excuses will eventually run out. At that point, fans may be forced to accept what he’s been saying all along.
Final Thoughts
Paddy Pimblett’s belief that everybody hates him may sound dramatic, but after listening to his reasoning, it’s easy to understand where he’s coming from.
He sees double standards. He sees selective criticism. And he sees fans unwilling to give him credit even when he delivers inside the Octagon.
Love him or dislike him, one thing is clear: Paddy Pimblett isn’t going anywhere. As long as he keeps winning, the conversation will continue, and so will the controversy.
And maybe, in time, the same fans who doubt him today will be forced to admit they were wrong.
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