Paddy Pimblett made sure to sort tickets for his friends and family.
The charismatic Scouser is just hours away from his first title fight, headlining UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Pimblett will take on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt after champion Ilia Topuria stepped away from the division because of personal issues.
The former Cage Warriors titleholder hopes to kick off a new era by leaving UFC 324 with gold around his waist, and plenty of familiar faces will be there to support him.
Paddy Pimblett spends $150,000 on tickets for friends and family to watch him fight at UFC 324
After making weight at Friday’s weigh-ins – which saw Cameron Smotherman faint on stage – Pimblett spoke to the UFC Weigh-In Show, promising a strong Scouse presence inside T-Mobile Arena.
He revealed that he had bought around 250 tickets, costing him between $140,000 and $150,000, so that his friends and family could be there to support him.
“It was more than $100,000, lad. It was like $140,000, $150,000,” the Briton said.
“And there’s a lot of Scousers who have got tickets who I didn’t get them for as well.
“So there’s gonna be quite a few Scousers in here, put it that way.”
Pimblett wants to be the best lightweight of all time
Khabib Nurmagomedov has long been viewed as the greatest lightweight in MMA history, retiring undefeated at 29-0. More recently, his protege Islam Makhachev has built his own case for that title.
However, ahead of UFC 324, Pimblett spoke with Bloody Elbow via Casino Guru, stating his belief that he has the potential to surpass both Khabib and Makhachev.
“Of course,” he responded when questioned about whether he believes he can surpass the Dagestani stars in the GOAT discussion at 155 pounds.
“What are you in the sport for if you don’t think you can do that? It’s just pointless being an MMA fighter if you don’t think you can do that.”
‘The Baddy’ added: “I’m already towards the top of the tree, anyway.
“A lot of people talk s— about me 24/7, but when you’ve got the belts around your waist, it makes it a waste of time on their part.”
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