MMA saved Leon Edwards from being ‘in prison or dead’ before UFC title challenge
Leon Edwards has taken an arduous path to gain his shot at UFC glory – going unbeaten for 10 fights in a row having had the most turbulent of upbringings.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1991, Edwards has explained he and his parents and brother slept in one bed in wooden shack with a zinc roof in the Caribbean, before moving to England when he was aged nine.
Having seen "crime, drugs, killing, shooting and poverty" on the streets of Kingston, the future MMA star joined the Ultimate Training Centre in Aston at the age of 17 – four years after his father was shot and killed in a nightclub.
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Speaking to ESPN back in 2019, Edwards said: "I do everything I can for my family and others, because I know what could have been.
"There were people I knew who are still stuck in that situation I was in, and they're either dead, in prison or dead broke. That could have happened to me. That was the life.
"I'd probably be in the same position they're in if things didn't work out differently. I still don't know why it did."
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Having won and defended the BAMMA Welterweight Championship, the 30-year-old has won nine of his last 10 UFC bouts (19-3 overall) including one no contest – with his last defeat coming back in 2015.
That bout, with his next opponent – UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman, 35, proved to be a turning point in the career of the Erdington local, who is out to shock the world at UFC 278 in Salt Lake City.
"I can see straight through him," said Edwards of Usman (20-1), who is ranked as the best P4P fighter in the promotion following five defences of his title across three years.
"He's being himself and has done great things, but I do feel he's losing himself a little bit.
"It's not personal for me, I believe I'm number one but it's [fame] clearly getting to his head. I'm going to humble you Saturday night."
Edwards earned his title shot despite going through a nightmare period outside the Octagon, which included several fight cancellations and a no contest against Belal Muhammad.
Usman, who is set to start in upcoming blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has been accused of taking his eye off the ball with talk of a boxing bout against Canelo Alvarez and even a move two classes up into light-heavyweight.
Despite that, Usman is a big favourite having lost only once across his professional MMA career, earning him the adulation of UFC president Dana White.
Edwards, who also represents the country of his birth, Jamaica, will be the fourth Brit to challenge for a UFC title following Dan Hardy's defeat to Georges St-Pierre in 2010, Michael Bisping's win over Luke Rockhold in 2016 and Darren Till's loss against Tyron Woodley in 2018.
UFC 278: Usman vs Edwards 2 will be shown exclusively live at 1am (3am main card) overnight on Saturday 20 August on BT Sport 1 and across digital platforms.
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