There’s been a noticeable shift in Paddy Pimblett’s life and career, one that even he might not fully recognize but those closest to him certainly do. Since the birth of his identical twin daughters, Betsy and Margot, a year ago, Pimblett has found a new source of motivation that’s driving him to train harder than ever before.

A New Perspective on Life and Fighting

Pimblett, a rising star in the UFC lightweight division, admits that fatherhood has fundamentally changed him. "It’s given me more motivation. I’m training harder than I’ve ever trained now because they’re in the back of my mind," he shared with BBC Sport. "I need to look after them for the rest of my life, I need to put food on the table so yeah, it’s changed me."

His teammates, coaches, and family have all observed this transformation. Molly McCann, his retired teammate, and his coach Paul Rimmer have noted a newfound focus and determination in Pimblett’s approach to training and competition.

Preparing for the Ultimate Test

Pimblett is gearing up for one of the biggest challenges of his career as he prepares to face Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in Miami, Florida. Chandler, a seasoned veteran and former Bellator lightweight champion, presents a formidable opponent. Despite Chandler’s experience and reputation, Pimblett remains confident in his abilities.

"He’s gonna come out and try and take my head off, I know he is 100%, and I’ll be using my range against him," Pimblett said. "He’s confident as well as I am, and I’m looking forward to putting on a show for everyone."

Balancing Fatherhood and Fighting

Since his last fight, a first-round submission victory over Bobby Green in July, Pimblett has been juggling intense training sessions with the demands of fatherhood. He’s even found creative ways to tell his identical twins apart, using bangles on their hands to distinguish Margot from Betsy.

Reflecting on the challenges of parenting twins, Pimblett joked, "Try and just have one baby, twins are hard work." Despite the sleepless nights and added responsibilities, he remains focused on his ultimate goal: a shot at the UFC lightweight title.

Aiming for the Top

Currently ranked 12th in the UFC lightweight division, Pimblett believes a victory over Chandler could propel him into the top seven, bringing him closer to a title fight. "A win will put me up to rank seven, that’s the main thing. Beat Michael, then fight someone in the top five, then I’ll be fighting for the title next year," he stated.

With the support of his fans, family, and teammates, Pimblett is determined to prove his doubters wrong and cement his place among the UFC’s elite. As he steps into the octagon against Chandler, the world will be watching to see how fatherhood has shaped this rising star’s journey.