Demetrious Johnson Reacts to Paddy Pimblett’s Beef With Ariel Helwani: ‘I’m Not Going to Go on His Podcast’

’The Mighty Mouse’ shared his reaction to ’The Baddy’ slamming Helwani for not paying fighters for interviews

Demetrious Johnson, Paddy Pimblett, Ariel Helwani
Credit: Demetrious Johnson, Paddy Pimblett, Ariel Helwani (via Instagram & YouTube)

Demetrious Johnson gave his take on the ongoing dispute between Paddy Pimblett and Ariel Helwani.

Inaugural and former UFC flyweight champion Jonhson is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. After leaving the UFC, he made his way to the Asian-based fighting promotion, where he is currently the ONE Championship flyweight champion.

Demetrious Johnson reacts to Paddy Pimblett’s dispute with Ariel Helwani

In a recent video posted on his YouTube channel, Demetrious Johnson shared his thoughts on Pimblett taking issue with renowned journalist Ariel Helwani not paying fighters for interviews.

“When you go on these interviews or podcasts or anything like that, nobody gets paid. I’ve never been paid to be on any interview, any of them; Joe Rogan’s podcast, Barstool Sports, you name it never been paid to be on any podcast whatsoever. From my contacts this is what I heard, Paddy Pimblett reached out to Ariel Helwani and said, ‘hey dude, I’m in New York City if you want me to come on your show let me know or we get together do something. So then Helwani reached back out to him to say, ‘sure come on the show.’

“Then, Paddy says, ‘well, talk to my manager.’ When he reached out talking to the manager, the manger says, ‘hey we have other interviews or other appearances that are being paid.’ I’ve won 13 world championships and I’ve been interviewed by Helwani, Rogan, and I’m not saying I’m as big a star as Paddy Pimblett.

“He has way more followers than I do, he brings the noise… for how much I’ve achieved in the sport I’ve never been paid to do an interview. I’ve been paid to post stuff, make appearances to nightclubs, competing gaming events but never an interview.”

“Paddy said he couldn’t do it because he had other obligations that are going to pay him. Perfect, makes total sense. I think Helwani is like, ‘do those interviews and whatnot.’ I think Helwani is very smart to not pay anybody for interviews. Me being an athlete, if I look at going on any type of interview, I see it as a point or opportunity for me to build my brand on their platform that they spent years or decades building.” h/t MMANews

Johnson refuses to go on Pimblett’s podcast

‘The Mighty Mouse’ revealed that Pimblett asked him to come on his show and that he would no longer be going after the conflict.

“Paddy Pimblett, he asked me to come on his podcast, I didn’t ask for a f**king dime. I didn’t ask for anything, he didn’t offer me anything either. But at the same time, I just think that it makes sense if you have an opportunity to get paid, do something, take it. But then don’t go around and try to ask people to pay you to be on the podcast or do interviews.”

“Am I going to do Paddy’s podcast? No, I’m not.”

Pimblett is set to face Jared Gordon tomorrow in the co-main event of UFC 282.

Published on December 9, 2022 at 5:45 pm
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