Paddy Pimblett has renewed motivation ahead of his UFC 304 bout with King Green.
The 29-year-old, 5-0 in the UFC (21-3 overall), takes on the American slugger (formerly known as Bobby Green) on July 27 in Manchester in the UFC’s return to the UK.
The bout is to be Pimblett’s first as a father after his partner gave birth to twin baby girls in April and, as such, the Liverpudlian sees this fight as being unlike any other he has experienced so far in his career.
“This fight camp hasn’t been easy, especially at home, but the Mrs is like superwoman,” Pimblett said recently, in comments courtesy of Best Online Poker Sites.
“She’s looked after everything when it comes to the kids,” he added. “It’s been a very tough fight camp outside of the gym. I think becoming a dad has changed my perspective, I’ll be honest. I haven’t noticed a difference, but everyone around me has said it. My coaches, Molly [McCann], my wife, my family.
“A lot of people have noticed a difference in me. I’ve got something to fight for now, something I need to fight for. I need to do this for my kids and my wife. This is the first fight they’ve been alive for, so I’ve got to do it for them. It’s as simple as that. I’ve got the next generation to think of. I’ve got to put food on the table for my kids.”
The bout is, for now at least, the final one of Pimblett’s existing UFC deal and while he has signalled that an extension is the most likely course of action, he has also expressed an interest in the highly-lucrative influencer boxing market that has risen to prominence in recent years.
And despite being an ardent critic of YouTube boxing’s biggest name, Pimblett admits that he respects Jake Paul’s decision to step up and fight Mike Perry this weekend in Florida.
“Give Jake Paul his dues for that one,” Pimblett said.
“I didn’t think he’d fight someone like Mike Perry. He’s fought a load of f*ckingg clowns. Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley when they were both over 40, Anderson’s a Thai boxer and Woodley’s a wrestler — but Mike Perry is a boxer, he’s a striker, he’s got hands, so I’ll be honest, Jake Paul has gained a little bit of respect from me.
“If Jake Paul sends a contract over for a couple of million dollars and wants to fight me, let’s do it. We’re prize fighters at the end of the day. That’s what people forget. We do this to get paid. It’s all about money.”
