Paddy Pimblett’s wife Laura Gregory has previously opened up about their relationship and life in the spotlight as her husband prepares for an interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324
Paddy Pimblett is targeting a career-defining moment at UFC 324 this weekend.
The 31-year-old is poised to face hard-hitting Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in Las Vegas. ‘The Baddy’ boasts an unblemished seven-fight winning run since his UFC bow in 2021. The ex-Cage Warriors champion secured his first opportunity at UFC gold following his TKO triumph over Michael Chandler last April.
The chance for an interim bout arose after lightweight champion Ilia Topuria announced he was taking time away from the sport for personal reasons. Pimblett is likely to have his family cheering him on in Vegas, including his wife Laura Gregory. Here’s a glimpse into the lightweight challenger’s world beyond the UFC Octagon.
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Married life
Pimblett wed his long-time partner Laura in May 2023. The pair, who have reportedly been an item since their teenage years, got engaged during a getaway to Thailand in early 2020.
Just months after Paddy and Laura’s wedding ceremony at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, the couple revealed they were expecting twin girls, who were born in April 2024. Despite being a lengthy romance, Laura has previously quipped that their relationship still has its difficulties.
Appearing in a rare interview on the Tea Time with Livvy podcast, Laura said: “God, we’ve split up more times than I count. He went through a phase where, just one of them, he went off the rails.”
‘Unhappy’ remark
During her podcast appearance, Laura also touched on the challenges of having her relationship in the public eye. Married to a sporting figure whose star continues to rise, she outlined her strategy for handling scrutiny and acknowledged that not every partner would be able to cope with such a demanding lifestyle.
“For me, I feel like this life can make you unhappy,” Laura explained. “I have shut so many people off from my life because I just don’t trust no one.
“I don’t need that many people in my life. I’ve got exactly who I need and that is fine with me.”
Quitting the UK
While Pimblett hails from Liverpool and was raised in Huyton, the UFC fighter believes his prospects of competing in front of British audiences are becoming increasingly remote.
Having last fought in England in July 2024, Pimblett reckons the majority of his upcoming bouts will take place across the Atlantic, though he would make one major exception.
“I think the odds are going lower and lower,” he told Sky Sports. “It would be a shame, obviously but I don’t think anywhere is big enough, unless they come to Anfield – that’s the dream.
“I’ve spoken to people at the club about it before and they’d be happy to do it, the higher-ups at the club, but it’s just the UFC doing it.”