Personal Information
Full Name | Leon Aaron Edwards |
Date of Birth | August 25, 1991 |
Age | 32 Years |
Nationality | British |
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
Nickname | Rocky |
Weight Class | Welterweight |
Stance | Southpaw |
Reach | 74 |
Career Stats | 22-3-1 |
Status | Active |
Leon Edwards: A Brief Biography
Leon Aaron Edwards is an English mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and holds the title of UFC Welterweight Champion. He started his professional career in 2011 and was previously associated with BAMMA, where he held the BAMMA Welterweight title. Currently, he is ranked No. 4 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings as of July 2024.
Latest News Update for Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards successfully defended his UFC Welterweight title against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, on March 18, 2023. Edwards won the bout via a majority decision. His second title defense came against Colby Covington, whom he defeated by a unanimous decision at UFC 296 on December 16, 2023.
Leon Edwards Facts
Birth Place | Kingston, Jamaica |
Star Sign | Virgo |
Age | 32 |
MMA Debut | 2011 |
MMA Record | 22-3-0 (1NC) |
Achievements | UFC Welterweight Champion |
Children | Jayon Edwards |
Endorsements | Iconic Menswear, Monster Energy, Venum, Montirex, My Protien, and RDX Sports |
Early Life and Career
Leon Aaron Edwards was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and spent his childhood living in a one-room house with his parents and brother. The area he grew up in was affected by high levels of crime, and his father was involved in activities that he considered questionable. When Edwards was nine years old, he moved to the Aston area of Birmingham, England. Unfortunately, when he was thirteen years old, his father was shot and killed in a nightclub in London. This tragedy led Edwards to become involved in criminal activities such as drug dealing, street fighting, and carrying a knife, along with his social circle. However, when he was 17 years old, his mother convinced him to join an MMA club, which helped him turn his life around.
Leon Edwards began his professional fighting career in 2010 as an amateur in Bushido Challenge 2: A New Dawn, where he won his first fight against Carl Booth via armbar submission in round two. He then signed with Fight UK MMA, winning his debut fight against Damian Zlotnicki via technical knockout in the first round. After two more fights with Fight UK MMA, he had a record of 2-1. He then won a decision against Craig White at Strength and Honor 14. Edwards then joined BAMMA, where he had an undefeated record of 5-0, winning the welterweight championship against Wayne Murrie and successfully defending it once against Shaun Taylor before joining the UFC.
Leon Edwards Personal Life
Leon Edwards was born in Kingston, Jamaica, where his father was involved with gangs. He moved to Birmingham, England, and then brought his family to the United Kingdom with the intention of starting a new life. Leon Edwards was 13 when his father was fatally shot. Edwards' life spiralled into a life of crime, but his mother made a timely intervention and made him join an MMA training facility, which brought his life back on track.
Leon Edwards has a brother named Fabian Edwards; he is also a professional mixed martial artist and competes in the middleweight division of Bellator MMA.
Leon Edwards Kids
Leon Edwards has a son named Jayon Edwards, who is aged 6. Not much is known about his other half, as he never mentions his personal life in public domain.
Leon Edwards Social Media
Leon Edwards uses his social media accounts to update his followers about his professional life and keep the professional MMA universe posted with his thoughts regarding the developments in the sport. The links to his social media accounts are mentioned below:
https://x.com/Leon_edwardsmma?s=20 (Leon Edwards' X account)
https://www.facebook.com/LeonEdwardsMMA/ (Leon Edwards' Facebook account)
https://www.instagram.com/leonedwardsmma/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== (Leon Edwards' Instagram account)
Leon Edwards Professional MMA Record
Leon Edwards has a professional record of 22 wins, three losses, and one no-contest to his name. A professional since 2011, Leon Edwards has won seven of his fights by knockout, three by submission, and 12 by decision. One of his fights resulted in a no-contest after he accidentally poked his opponent in the eye. Leon Edwards has lost 2 fights by decision, and he has been disqualified once.
Leon Edwards Losses
Leon Edwards suffered the first loss in his professional career in the third fight of his career. He locked horns with Delroy McDowell at Fight UK MMA: Fight UK 6, where he was disqualified due to an illegal knee. Edwards registered his second professional loss against Claudio Silva at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux, He suffered a split decision loss against Silva. His third loss came against Kamaru Usman when the two locked horns with each other at UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2. He was defeated by Usman by a unanimous decision.
Leon Edwards Championships Won
Leon Edwards has won the BAMMA welterweight championship and the UFC welterweight championship in his career so far. On May 5, 2014, he squared off against Wayne Murrie at BAMMA 15 for the BAMMA welterweight title. Edwards submitted Murrie in the second round to win the title.
Leon Edwards got a title shot against Kamaru Usman on August 20, 2022, at UFC 278 for the welterweight title. He knocked out Usman in a dramatic fashion in the closing moments of the fight and won the title, ending Usman's years of dominance in the welterweight division.
Leon Edwards's Diet
Leon Edwards follows a diet consisting of an omelet, followed by gaucamole and fruits. He tops his mid-morning demand with a protein shake. According to his sports nutritionist, Jordan Sullivan, Edwards follows a high-protein diet plan in order to supply him with enough energy.
*Last Updated: July 21, 2024
FAQs on Leon Edwards
A. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica.
A. He has won BAMMA welterweight title and UFC welterweight title as a professional mixed martial artist.
A. He started in 2011.
A. He has defeated Kamaru Usman twice.
A. He has a record of 22 wins, one loss, and one no-contest.