Courtesy: UFC. Leon Edwards pictured above.
March 13th was supposed to be the night that Leon Edwards, the number 3 ranked mixed martial artist in all the world at 170, staked his claim for the next crack at welterweight supremacy. After 18 months of inactivity thanks in part to injuries and COVID-19 shutting the world down, Edwards was finally back in the octagon against a surging Belal Muhammed. For the time it lasted, Edwards showcased why he is the proud owner of an eight fight win streak in one of the deepest divisions in the sport.
Courtesy: UFC. The headkick that split open the side of Belal Muhammed's head.
The surreal vision he possesses allowed him to identify incoming danger and pull away from Muhammed’s strikes. This ability grants him the opportunity to return fire on an opponent who in turn is vulnerable after the miss. A sharpshooter of a striker, Edwards’ boxing was crisp, as he landed clean on Muhammed with precision and timing that would have converted any believer in ring rust. Edwards even wobbled him with a brilliant head kick in the first. The versatility in his standup allowed him to pick apart Muhammed. The clouds were finally clearing for Edwards.
That is until the goddess Fortuna shunned Edwards once more, reaffirming his status as the unluckiest man in the UFC. An accidental eye poke in the second ended the bout a no contest, leaving the promotion with more questions than answers. Leading up to the fight, the President of the UFC, Dana White was adamant during the pre fight build up that a strong performance from Edwards would earn him a shot against Kamaru Usman, the man who sits atop the welterweight throne. “100 percent, he’s next”, was his exact quote in fact. Instead, the result dragged Leon Edwards into murky waters. Thankfully, Leon Edwards is no stranger to adversity.
Courtesy: Talk Sport. The eye poke and the ensuing damage it caused.
Courtesy: Reuters. A neighbourhood in Kingston that sustained heavy gunfire.
Born in a gang infested neighbourhood in Kingston, Jamaica, the contender that is respected today, was merely a scared boy with no way out. Even when the Edward’s were finally able to get a move to England, trouble seemed to follow the family across the pond. At only 13 years of age, his father was murdered at a nightclub in London. Anger coursed through the veins of the young boy, eventually numbing him to the tragedies of his environment. In a recent interview with BT Sport, he detailed his troubled upbringing. “Killing became normal to me as a kid. Growing up in Jamaica, all you see is crimes, drugs, killing, shooting, and poverty.” Edwards would go on to earn his nickname, “Rocky”, due to the countless fights in the streets to protect his friends. A curse became a blessing for Leon, as his mother made the decision to put him into an MMA club
The talented fighter grew in the sport as an athlete and a person. Edwards sported an impressive 8-1 record in the local UK fight circuit before he found himself in the iconic UFC octagon for the first time. At the beginning of his new journey, there wasn't any smooth sailing. Edwards’ first fight in the promotion was a loss. The Jamaican native rebounded with two consecutive victories. Then came the fight against the current king of the 170 pounders. Kamaru Usman unanimously defeated Edwards at a time when both men were clawing their way to the top. It was a fight that propelled both to the eventual stardom they enjoy today.
Courtesy: UFC. Kamaru Usman landing strikes from half guard on Leon Edwards
Courtesy: UFC. A proud Leon Edwards, prior to a bout being featured by the UFC, embracing his roots.
Usman continued to dominate his way through the division. “The Nigerian Nightmare”, finally secured himself a title shot against former champion, Tyron Woodley after years of campaigning for his chance at gold. The wait was worth it as the glorious victory made history, Kamaru Usman became the first mixed martial artist from the continent of Africa to have a UFC belt latched around his waist. With three sensational title defences since then, pundits and fans alike believe he has the potential to be the heir to Canada’s Georges St. Pierre’s seat atop the welterweight all time great list. Funny enough, Leon Edwards doesn’t share that sentiment. After his loss to Usman, it all started to click. Edwards has now gone on to win that aforementioned eight straight against elite competition. Racking up wins against former lightweight champion, Rafael Dos Anjos and the all time victor in UFC history, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone along the way. The resume suggests he is certainly deserving of the next crack at Kamaru Usman’s reign, but the UFC have yet to decide whether his revenge tour will reach its final stop just yet. Time will tell whether, “Rocky”, gets the biggest fight of his life next, or another test along the way. Either way, it’s tough to bet against a man who’s been through it all.
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