'Disgusting' response to mental health plea angers Pimblett

Warning: This article contains a reference to suicide.

Paddy Pimblett says some of the responses he has received on social media for urging men to open up about their mental health has been "disgusting".

The 29-year-old revealed he was dealing with personal issues while having the "worst training camp of his life" six weeks ago, before seeking help which changed his mindset.

Liverpool's Pimblett is set to face American lightweight Bobby Green at UFC 304 in Manchester on Saturday.

"Seeing Sky Sports put that interview up, external and seeing some of the responses are disgusting," he said. "People saying I'm doing it for a PR stunt. Why would I invite pressure on myself like that?

"People saying I'm only doing it for that reason when I know several people who have killed themselves. I've thought about it in the past. Again, I do it because I feel like I need to and I don't want more people to kill themselves, especially men.

"Other people have been quoting saying 'no wonder men don't talk [about mental health] when the responses are like this'.

It is two years since Pimblett first opened up about his mental health after losing a close friend to suicide, where the Liverpudlian left the octagon in tears after beating Jordan Leavitt.

The reaction to his comments then was mostly positive, with Pimblett revealing numerous people had reached out to him to confide over social media.

He said there was "stuff going on in his head" which prompted struggles in training around six weeks ago, before his coach Paul Rimmer reached out to ask if he was OK.

"Obviously Paul he's my coach, he's like my second dad and he's only looking out for my best interests," said Pimblett. "Since that moment I've had one of the best camps I've ever had."

Pimblett added that with therapy, plus the support from his family and close friends, he was able to turn his training camp around.

"A couple of weeks ago I was getting in touch with a mental health charity for men where you go and speak. I was getting in contact to have a chat and try get through it - and I did. I'm ready for anything now.

"I wouldn't still be here if it wasn't for my wife Laura. With my family, my team, my mates – when that Sky interview came out, I've had six messages off my mates and my boys I grew up with. I feel good again."

Echoing Pimblett's comments, British UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall said he has deleted social media in the build-up to his fight against American Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 because it was having a negative effect on his life.

The 31-year-old is set to defend his title in the co-main event at the Co-op Live arena, on a card which is headlined between the welterweight title bout between British champion Leon Edwards and American Belal Muhammad.

Manchester's Aspinall said he became "addicted" to scrolling and reading comments from fans.

"To anybody who's going through any kind of... feeling overwhelmed in life or anxious, I would seriously recommend doing what I did and deleting the social media apps," he added.

"Because I was seriously addicted to scrolling and my life is a lot better without reading hundreds and hundreds of opinion about me every day. It's a mistake and it's an addiction like anything else.

"I was at a spot where I didn’t really know my own opinion anymore because I was reading too many other people's opinions."

Aspinall, who still posts on social media authentically but through a team member, says it's unlikely he will ever keep the apps on his phone again.

"I'm much happier without social media and I won't be going on it back after [the fight]," said Aspinall.

"I might download it here and there but I'll never have it on my phone full-time."

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, help and support is available via BBC Action Line.