Paddy Pimblett was immediately transported to hospital following his brutal defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
The Liverpudlian emerged from the five-round battle with significant facial damage, including severe swelling around his right eye and cuts across his nose and lips.
Blood was pouring from his eye following the fight.
UFC president Dana White captured the extent of the injuries when he visited Pimblett in the dressing room, posting an image with the caption “Savage”.
The photograph revealed the 31-year-old looking barely recognisable, with his face visibly altered by the accumulated trauma.
White expressed admiration for Pimblett’s durability during the post-fight press conference: “I did not know Paddy Pimblett had a chin like that until tonight. Yeah, an absolute dogfight and a war and much respect to both guys.”
Gaethje secured the interim lightweight championship through a unanimous decision victory, with two judges scoring the contest 49-46 and the third awarding it 48-47.
The American dominated proceedings from the opening bell, nearly finishing the fight in round one after trapping Pimblett against the cage and sending him to the canvas with a thunderous uppercut.
Paddy Pimblett was immediately transported to hospital following his brutal defeat
|
GETTY
The 37-year-old continued his assault in the second round, flooring the Briton once more, though replays indicated his thumb caught Pimblett’s eye during the knockdown.
A third knockdown came in round four as fans wondered how the Merseyside fighter remained standing.
Both competitors received $100,000 Fight of the Night bonuses for their efforts, with Gaethje telling Joe Rogan afterwards: “Scousers do not get knocked out! This is a crazy sport.”
Despite the defeat ending his seven-fight winning streak in the UFC, Pimblett showed remarkable grace in the aftermath.
Paddy Pimblett emerged from the five-round battle with significant facial damage
|
GETTY
He told Joe Rogan in the octagon: “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 The Highlight; he is someone I loved watching growing up and it shows why he is a legend.”
The Liverpool fighter acknowledged the scoring was reasonable, admitting a body shot to his solar plexus in the opening round had troubled him significantly.
“I thought I was winning the round up to that point,” he reflected. You live and you learn; I’m 31, I will be back better. You haven’t seen the last of me.”
Pimblett also used his post-fight interview to pay tribute former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
|
GETTY
Pimblett also used his post-fight interview to pay tribute former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother, who both died in a car crash in July.
He added: “There are a few more things that I wanted to say, although it would have been better if I won.
“Obviously, I’m a Liverpool fan, I know there will be loads of Liverpool fans here. There is a Liverpool legend, Diogo Jota and his brother [André Silva], who passed away. I’d like to dedicate that to them even though I didn’t win.”
Pimblett also addressed mental health, revealing two men he knew had taken their own lives in recent months, before adding: “Men, speak up, don’t bottle your feelings up.”
