Did Leon Edwards ever go to prison?

Leon Edwards sheds light on his life before getting into MMA. Reveals selling drugs.

<strong>Did Leon Edwards ever go to prison?</strong>

Leon Edwards (Image Courtesy: MMA Mania)

Leon Edwards is responsible for having one of the most shocking moments in the history of UFC championship bouts. Last year at UFC 278, Edwards stunned the world by getting a last-minute knockout victory against former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. 

Since then, Edwards has gathered a massive fan following who now support ‘ Rocky‘ and are eager to see him fight again. Other than being an amazing mixed martial artist inside the octagon, Edwards is also a fighter in real life. The Jamaica-born had to go through a lot of adversities growing up to be where he is now. 

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In an interview with BBC, Edwards mentioned how in his first years in London, he got bullied by other kids for his Jamaican accent.  On top of it, due to peer pressure from his friends, he got involved in gangs and also participated in illegal work. According to Edwards, he was arrested a couple of times, and every time his mother had to come and talk to the police. 

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He said: “We did what all gangs do. Sell drugs, there were robberies, shootings, and stabbings. I was arrested a few times, for fights and having a knife. My mum had to come to the police station many times to get me out. I knew what I was doing was breaking her heart, but I just kept doing it because your friends are doing it.“

All these things took place during his early years as a teenager and he couldn’t help but be a part of all that. Edwards knew he was doing the wrong things but couldn’t stop until he discovered MMA. Nevertheless, MMA saved him from being in prison.

Related: 5 best UFC knockouts in 2022: Featuring Leon Edwards, Michael Chandler, and other superstars

How MMA changed Leon Edwards’s life and he made his mother proud

Leon Edwards Family (Image Courtesy: Daily Mail)
Leon Edwards Family (Image Courtesy: Daily Mail)

Up until 17 years old, Leon Edwards repeatedly got involved in gang fights and other stuff and his mother was disappointed in him. However, everything changed when young Edwards joined a mixed martial arts gym. 

After Edwards joined the gym and started training, the coaches saw the potential of the kid and helped him hone his skills. Edwards was natural and immediately started winning competitions and awards which made his mother extremely proud. 

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“I could see my mum was proud of me, when I was bringing home trophies and that, and that’s what kept me at it,” Edwards said. “Was thinking I should enjoy my life and not have to look behind my back at people trying to stab me, see the world – and that’s what I did. I put all my energy into training at 17 and just never looked back.”

Edwards rose to fame and attracted a lot of audiences due to his early performances and finally in 2014 at the age of 23, UFC signed him. Later he became the second-ever British champion in the history of the promotion. 

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