Paddy Pimblett's Big Decision: Why He's Skipping the UFC White House Fight

USAFri Jan 23 2026
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Paddy Pimblett, a rising star in the UFC, has made a surprising choice. He won't be part of the highly anticipated UFC White House event in June. This decision comes despite the event being touted as the biggest in combat sports history. Pimblett is currently focused on his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje. This match is for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324. Winning this fight would give Pimblett the chance to challenge Ilia Topuria, the current champion. However, Topuria is taking a break to handle family matters.
Topuria plans to return between April and June. But Pimblett isn't keen on fighting him right away. He thinks the turnaround time is too short. Moreover, Pimblett has made it clear he doesn't want to fight at the White House event. He explained that the event is invite-only. This means he wouldn't be able to have all his friends and family there to support him. For his fight against Gaethje, Pimblett has secured over 250 tickets. He wants to ensure that all his supporters can be there. This shows how important his fans are to him. It also highlights his commitment to his community. Pimblett's decision raises questions about the importance of personal connections. In a sport where big events are often prioritized, he chooses to stay true to his values. This decision could inspire other fighters to consider their personal priorities as well.
https://localnews.ai/article/paddy-pimbletts-big-decision-why-hes-skipping-the-ufc-white-house-fight-cb348e17

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