UFC 304 in Manchester: Paddy Pimblett angered by response to mental health plea

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.