Why did UFC fighter Leon Edwards flee to England from Jamaica? A captivating journey
UFC welterweight Leon Edwards has seen it all in his life, once having to take his family to England from Jamaica.
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Leon Edwards posing in front of his painting (Image via X)
Leon Edwards is one of the greatest ever mixed martial artists to hail from England. Beating the unbreakable Kamaru Usman at UFC 278 to become only the second champion from the nation etched his name amongst English folklore. With a staggering win percentage, Edwards is also a treat to watch inside the octagon, with his slick striking, and diverse skills.
Without a doubt, Leon Edwards has accomplished more than other welterweight fighters. Some see him as a top five welterweight of all time. ‘Rocky’ is a top-of-the-food-chain fighter, so it is safe to assume he lives a healthy and safe life. But things weren’t always easy for the British-Jamaican fighter. His life tells an inspiring story and his come-up is worth a listen.
Leon Edwards: Origin
The fighter was born in Kingston, Jamaica on August 25, 1991. His family lived in the mean streets of Kingston, which was struck by poverty, hunger, and other crises. Leon Edwards lived with his father, mother, and brother (Fabian Edwards) at that time.
To put into perspective how poor the UFC star was, his family of four lived in a single room. No, not a single bedroom, just a single room. Surrounded by violence, his mum and dad somehow still managed to put a smile on the future UFC star’s face as a kid. His father was someone who would go beyond the law to make a daily living and everyone around him knew it.
The welterweight fighter himself didn’t seem to bother about that as a kid. His father’s “status” kept Edwards somewhat protected as a kid. In an interview with ESPN, ‘Rocky’ mentioned how killing and bloodshed had become a routine part of life, to the point where the ex-UFC champion was unfazed by such violence as a child.
Leon Edwards’ parents separated when he was 6 years old
Leon Edwards lived in a violent neighborhood and city in Jamaica. It wasn’t safe for one street resident to go to another street at night given the possibility of getting shot. The welterweight fighter has previously said that crime, drugs, killing, shooting, and poverty were the only things that he constantly saw as a kid. Just when one thought things couldn’t get any worse, his dad left his family for London.
Later, the future welterweight champion and his family were called to England by his dad and were asked to settle in Birmingham. The UFC star could meet his dad only on the weekends. Edwards, his mother, and his brother lived in a neighborhood called Aston in Birmingham.
Things weren’t easy in England either. ‘Rocky’ had to undergo things even worse in the latter part of his life. He led different lives in Jamaica and the UK. As such, Edwards sported a custom shorts at UFC 304, having elements of both the nations. It might be the coolest design, considering the importance it holds for Rocky.
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