Leon Edwards

Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leon Edwards
Edwards in 2021
Born (1991-08-25) 25 August 1991 (age 32)[1]
Kingston, Jamaica
Other namesRocky
ResidenceBirmingham, England
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[2]
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight (2011)
Welterweight (2011, 2012–present)
Reach74 in (188 cm)[3]
StanceSouthpaw
Fighting out ofErdington, Birmingham, England
TeamTeam Renegade BJJ & MMA (2015–present)[4]
Ultimate Training Centre (2010–2015)
American Kickboxing Academy (2015)[4]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Thomas Bracher[5]
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total26
Wins22
By knockout7
By submission3
By decision12
Losses3
By decision2
By disqualification1
No contests1
Other information
Notable relativesFabian Edwards (brother)
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Leon Edwards (born 25 August 1991) is an English professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Welterweight Champion.[6] A professional competitor since 2011, Edwards formerly competed for BAMMA, where he was the BAMMA Welterweight Champion. As of 20 February 2024, he is #3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[7][8]

Early life

Edwards was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and lived with his parents and his brother in a one-room house. Growing up, he was surrounded by crime, and his father was involved in what he describes as "questionable activities".[9] Edwards moved to the Aston area of Birmingham, England at nine years old.[9] In the early hours of the 2 October 2004, when Edwards was 13 years old, his father was shot and killed in a nightclub in Croydon, London.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] He was then involved in criminal activity such as drug dealing, street fighting, and knife possession along with others in his social circle, but was able to get out of his lifestyle at age 17, when his mother got him to join an MMA club.[9]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Edwards began his professional fighting career in 2010, making his debut as an amateur at Bushido Challenge 2 - A New Dawn. Edwards fought Carl Booth, winning via an armbar submission in round two.

Fight UK MMA

Edwards then signed a contract with Fight UK MMA. He debuted for the promotion against Damian Zlotnicki, winning via technical knockout in the first round. He had two more fights for the promotion, winning against Pawel Zwiefka and losing against Delroy McDowell via DQ by way of an illegal knee.

Post-Fight UK MMA

Edwards obtained a 2–1 record after leaving Fight UK MMA. He then fought Craig White at the Strength and Honor 14, winning by decision. Edwards then went to fight for "BAMMA", in which he went 5–0. During his stint with BAMMA, he won the welterweight championship against Wayne Murrie and he defended it once against Shaun Taylor in what was his last fight with BAMMA before going to the UFC.[18]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Edwards made his promotional debut against Cláudio Silva on 8 November 2014 at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux.[19] He was defeated via split decision.[20]

Edwards faced veteran Seth Baczynski on 11 April 2015 at UFC Fight Night 64.[21] Edwards won the fight via KO at 0:08 of the first round.[22] This result earned him a Performance of the Night bonus[23] and marked one of the sixth fastest knockouts in the organization.[24]

Edwards faced Pawel Pawlak on 18 July 2015 at UFC Fight Night 72.[25] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Edwards next faced eventual UFC champion Kamaru Usman on 19 December 2015 at UFC on Fox 17.[27] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[28]

Edwards faced Dominic Waters on 8 May 2016 at UFC Fight Night 87.[29] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]

Edwards next faced Albert Tumenov on 8 October 2016 at UFC 204.[31] He won the fight via submission in the third round.[32]

Edwards faced Vicente Luque on 18 March 2017 at UFC Fight Night 107.[33] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[34]

Edwards faced Bryan Barberena on 2 September 2017 at UFC Fight Night 115.[35] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[36]

Edwards faced Peter Sobotta on 17 March 2018 at UFC Fight Night 127.[37] He won the fight via TKO at 4:59 in the third round.[38]

Edwards faced Donald Cerrone on 23 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night 132.[39] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[40]

Edwards faced Gunnar Nelson on 16 March 2019 at UFC Fight Night 147.[41] He won the bout by split decision.[42] After the event, Edwards was punched backstage by Jorge Masvidal, which left Edwards with a laceration under his left eye.[43]

Edwards faced former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos on 20 July 2019 in the main event of UFC on ESPN 4.[44] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[45]

As the first bout of his new, multi-fight contract, Edwards was scheduled to face Tyron Woodley on 21 March 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.[46][47] However, the restrictions related to COVID-19 forced Edwards to withdraw as the event was meant to be moved from London to the United States, and the event was subsequently cancelled.[48]

After a 425-day hiatus since his bout with Dos Anjos, the UFC had removed Edwards from the UFC rankings due to inactivity on 22 October 2020.[49][50] However, one day later, it was announced that he had been scheduled to face undefeated prospect Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC Fight Night 183 on 19 December 2020.[51] This involved Edwards being back to the #3 spot in the UFC rankings.[52] On 29 November, it was announced that Chimaev had allegedly tested positive for COVID-19, which meant the bout was declared on jeopardy.[53][54] On 1 December, Edwards officially tested positive for COVID-19 and allegedly lost twelve pounds due to the severity of his case,[55] so the bout was subsequently postponed.[56] On 22 December, it was announced that the contest has been rescheduled for 20 January 2021, at UFC Fight Night 185.[57][58] In turn, Chimaev pulled out of the contest on 29 December due to lingering effects of his own COVID-19 struggle.[59][60] As a result, the bout was temporarily cancelled.[61] On 13 January, the bout was scheduled for the third time, and was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 187 on 13 March 2021.[62] However, on 11 February, UFC president Dana White announced the fight was once again cancelled due to Chimaev suffering from lingering effects of COVID-19.[63] On February 18, it was announced that Belal Muhammad would be the replacement opponent for Edwards.[64] During the beginning of the second round, Edwards accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye rendering him unable to continue. The fight was declared a no contest, snapping his 8-fight win streak.[65]

Edwards was expected to face Nate Diaz on 15 May 2021 at UFC 262, marking the first time a non-main event and non-title bout had been scheduled for 5 rounds in UFC history.[66] However, the bout was moved to UFC 263 due to a minor injury sustained by Diaz.[67] Edwards controlled a vast majority of the bout, but was stunned badly with punches late in the fifth. Edwards won the fight by unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, 49–46).[68]

Edwards was scheduled to face Jorge Masvidal on 11 December 2021 at UFC 269.[69] However, Masvidal withdrew due to injury and the bout was scrapped.[70][71]

UFC Welterweight Champion

Edwards rematched Kamaru Usman on 20 August 2022 at UFC 278 for the UFC Welterweight Championship.[72] After having a successful first round and struggling for the next four, Edwards won the fight and title via knockout in the fifth round, claiming the UFC Welterweight Championship.[73] The win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[74] This victory is considered by many to be one of the best knockouts of all time, as well as one of the best comebacks to ever be pulled off in UFC history.[75]

A third fight between Edwards and Usman took place on March 18, 2023, at UFC 286.[76] With a point deduction in the third round due to grabbing the fence to prevent a takedown, he won the bout via majority decision. Aside from the fence grab, Edwards was commended for showing significant improvement from the second meeting with Usman, defending 11 of Usman's 15 takedown attempts and out-striking Usman on the feet for most of the fight.[77]

In the second defense of his title, Edwards faced Colby Covington on December 16, 2023 in the main event at UFC 296.[78] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[79]

Personal life

Leon grew up in Aston, Birmingham, England but is originally from Kingston, Jamaica. He started training mixed martial arts when he was 17. His nickname, Rocky, was given to him by his friends in school.[80] His brother, Fabian, is also a mixed martial artist for Bellator MMA.[81]

Championships and achievements

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
26 matches 22 wins 3 losses
By knockout 7 0
By submission 3 0
By decision 12 2
By disqualification 0 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 22–3 (1) Colby Covington Decision (unanimous) UFC 296 16 December 2023 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Win 21–3 (1) Kamaru Usman Decision (majority) UFC 286 18 March 2023 5 5:00 London, England Defended the UFC Welterweight Championship. Edwards was deducted one point in round 3 due to grabbing the fence.
Win 20–3 (1) Kamaru Usman KO (head kick) UFC 278 20 August 2022 5 4:04 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Won the UFC Welterweight Championship. Performance of the Night. Knockout of the Year.
Win 19–3 (1) Nate Diaz Decision (unanimous) UFC 263 12 June 2021 5 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
NC 18–3 (1) Belal Muhammad NC (accidental eye poke) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad 13 March 2021 2 0:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Accidental eye poke rendered Muhammad unable to continue.
Win 18–3 Rafael dos Anjos Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: dos Anjos vs. Edwards 20 July 2019 5 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Win 17–3 Gunnar Nelson Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Till vs. Masvidal 16 March 2019 3 5:00 London, England
Win 16–3 Donald Cerrone Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards 23 June 2018 5 5:00 Kallang, Singapore
Win 15–3 Peter Sobotta TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov 17 March 2018 3 4:59 London, England
Win 14–3 Bryan Barberena Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve 2 September 2017 3 5:00 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Win 13–3 Vicente Luque Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson 18 March 2017 3 5:00 London, England
Win 12–3 Albert Tumenov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 204 8 October 2016 3 3:01 Manchester, England
Win 11–3 Dominic Waters Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski 8 May 2016 3 5:00 Rotterdam, Netherlands
Loss 10–3 Kamaru Usman Decision (unanimous) UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cowboy 2 19 December 2015 3 5:00 Orlando, Florida, United States
Win 10–2 Paweł Pawlak Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites 18 July 2015 3 5:00 Glasgow, Scotland
Win 9–2 Seth Baczynski KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 11 April 2015 1 0:08 Kraków, Poland Performance of the Night.
Loss 8–2 Cláudio Silva Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Saint Preux 8 November 2014 3 5:00 Uberlândia, Brazil
Win 8–1 Shaun Taylor KO (punch) BAMMA 16 13 September 2014 3 3:30 Manchester, England Defended the BAMMA British Welterweight Championship.
Win 7–1 Wayne Murrie Submission (rear-naked choke) BAMMA 15 5 May 2014 3 3:13 London, England Won the BAMMA British Welterweight Championship.
Win 6–1 Wendle Lewis KO (punches) BAMMA 14 14 December 2013 1 1:20 Birmingham, England
Win 5–1 Adam Boussif Submission (arm-triangle choke) BAMMA 13 13 September 2013 1 2:10 Birmingham, England
Win 4–1 Jonathan Bilton TKO (knees) BAMMA 11 1 December 2012 2 1:11 Birmingham, England
Win 3–1 Craig White Technical Decision SAH 14: Strength And Honour 14 3 November 2012 2 5:00 Exeter, England
Loss 2–1 Delroy McDowell DQ (illegal knee) Fight UK MMA: Fight UK 6 25 February 2012 3 2:40 Leicester, England Return to Welterweight.
Win 2–0 Pawel Zwiefka Decision (unanimous) Fight UK MMA: Fight UK 5 19 November 2011 3 5:00 Leicester, England Middleweight debut.
Win 1–0 Damian Zlotnicki TKO (punches) Fight UK MMA: Fight UK 4 5 June 2011 1 2:15 Leicester, England Welterweight debut.

Pay-per-view bouts

No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV buys
1. UFC 278 Usman vs. Edwards 2 August 20, 2022 Vivint Arena Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Not Disclosed[96]
2. UFC 286 Edwards vs. Usman 3 March 18, 2023 The O2 Arena London, England, United Kingdom Not Disclosed[97]
3. UFC 296 Edwards vs. Covington December 16, 2023 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Not Disclosed[98]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Leon Edwards Stats, News, Bio". ESPN. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Leon Edwards MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography". sherdog.com. Sherdog. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Leon Edwards | UFC". 15 March 2021. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  4. ^ a b Mario Freire (16 August 2022). ""You're like second to their fighters" - Leon Edwards explains why training at AKA for first Kamaru Usman fight didn't work out for him". sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  5. ^ Farah Hannoun (15 September 2022). "UFC champion Leon Edwards captures another belt: a black belt in jiu-jitsu". MMAJunkie.com.
  6. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  7. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Archived from the original on 30 November 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  8. ^ "UFC Rankings". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  9. ^ a b c "Leon Edwards: MMA saved me from being 'dead, in prison or dead broke'". ESPN.com. 17 July 2019. Archived from the original on 7 November 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  10. ^ "Pair dead in nightclub shooting". BBC News. 2 October 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Triple shooting victims are named". BBC News. 4 October 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Women 'shot by gang of assassins'". BBC News. 9 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Court told of club terror". Your Local Guardian. 5 April 2006. Archived from the original on 22 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Witnesses describe Spotlight gun attack". Hillingdon Times. 29 March 2006. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  15. ^ "I'd seen people being shot from a young age – MMA showed me a different path". The Independent. 16 November 2021. Archived from the original on 5 March 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  16. ^ Battison, Paul (16 March 2023). "Leon Edwards: UFC fighter's rise to world champion & escaping his 'darkest years'". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  17. ^ McRae, Donald (12 December 2023). "UFC's Leon Edwards: 'In Jamaica killing seemed normal. We were used to death all around us'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  18. ^ Zane Simon (26 September 2014). "Welcome to the UFC, Lapilus, Ansaroff, & Edwards". bloodyelbow.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  19. ^ "CLAUDIO HENRIQUE DA SILVA DEF. LEON EDWARDS". mmafighting.com. 9 June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 February 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  20. ^ Marc Raimondi (9 November 2014). "Toughness, ground work get Claudio Silva by Leon Edwards by split decision". foxsports.com. Archived from the original on 14 June 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  21. ^ "UFC Fight Night 64 results: Leon Edwards takes eight seconds to KO Seth Baczynski". MMAJunkie.com. 11 April 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  22. ^ Ben Fowlkes (11 April 2015). "UFC Fight Night 64 results: Leon Edwards takes eight seconds to KO Seth Baczynski". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  23. ^ Mookie Alexander (11 April 2015). "UFC Poland post-fight bonuses: Cro Cop, Gonzaga, Moroz, and Edwards pick up $50,000 each". bloodyelbow.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  24. ^ "Quickest Knockout Finishes In UFC". Tapology. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  25. ^ Matt Erickson (18 May 2015). "Redmond vs. Whiteford, Edwards vs. Pawlak booked for UFC Fight Night 72 in Scotland". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
  26. ^ Steven Marrocco (18 July 2015). "UFC Fight Night 72 results: Head kick helps Leon Edwards past Pawel Pawlak". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  27. ^ Staff (1 September 2015). "Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman added to UFC on FOX 17 in Orlando". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  28. ^ John Morgan (19 December 2015). "UFC on FOX 17 results: Kamaru Usman grinds out Leon Edwards". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2015.
  29. ^ Staff (30 March 2016). "Leon Edwards steps in for injured Peter Sobotta at UFC Fight Night 87 in Rotterdam". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  30. ^ Ben Fowlkes (8 May 2016). "UFC Fight Night 87 results: Leon Edwards shuts out Dominic Waters for unanimous decision". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  31. ^ Staff (23 August 2016). "Leon Edwards vs. Albert Tumenov booked for UFC 204 in Manchester". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 24 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  32. ^ Ben Fowlkes (8 October 2016). "UFC 204 results: Leon Edwards rallies, chokes out Albert Tumenov in third round". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  33. ^ Guilherme Cruz (10 January 2017). "Vicente Luque vs. Leon Edwards slated for UFC Fight Night: London". mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  34. ^ Steven Marrocco (18 March 2017). "UFC Fight Night 107 results: Leon Edwards ends Vicente Luque's streak with unpredictable attack". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  35. ^ Jordan Breen (3 July 2017). "Bryan Barberena-Leon Edwards welterweight tilt joins Sept. 2 UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam". sherdog.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  36. ^ "UFC-Rotterdam results: Leon Edwards survives knockdown, works to decision over Bryan Barberena". MMAjunkie. 2 September 2017. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 3 September 2017.
  37. ^ Dale Jordan (7 December 2017). "Leon Edwards vs Peter Sobotta added to UFC Fight Night 127". mmamad.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  38. ^ John Morgan (17 March 2018). "UFC Fight Night 127 results: Leon Edwards earns last-second TKO win". mmajunkie.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  39. ^ "Donald Cerrone vs. Leon Edwards scheduled for UFC Singapore main event". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  40. ^ "UFC Fight Night 132 results: Leon Edwards outpoints Donald Cerrone, calls out Jorge Masvidal". MMAjunkie. 23 June 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
  41. ^ Doherty, Dan (16 January 2019). "UFC London: Gunnar Nelson Faces Leon Edwards in Co-Main Event". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  42. ^ "UFC London results: Leon Edwards survives late charge to take split over Gunnar Nelson". MMA Junkie. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  43. ^ "Jorge Masvial, Leon Edwards exchange punches backstage". MMA Fighting. 16 March 2019. Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2019.
  44. ^ Jay Pettry (13 June 2019). "Rafael dos Anjos vs. Leon Edwards to headline UFC San Antonio". sherdog.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2019.
  45. ^ Doherty, Dan (21 July 2019). "UFC San Antonio Results: Leon Edwards Looks Brilliant in Win Over Rafael dos Anjos". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 21 July 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  46. ^ "Tyron Woodley, Leon Edwards set to headline UFC on ESPN+ 29 in London". MMA Junkie. 17 January 2020. Archived from the original on 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  47. ^ Alexander K. Lee (21 January 2020). "Leon Edwards signs multi-fight deal with UFC". mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  48. ^ King, Nolan; Morgan, John (16 March 2020). "UFC postpones three events amid growing coronavirus outbreak". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  49. ^ Harkness, Ryan (22 October 2020). "Leon Edwards removed from UFC welterweight rankings due to inactivity". MMAmania.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  50. ^ "Leon Edwards confirms UFC removed him from welterweight rankings – then says not so fast". MMA Junkie. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  51. ^ "UFC books Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev, expected to headline Dec. 19". MMA Junkie. 23 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  52. ^ Heck, Mike (23 October 2020). "Dana White: Deal done to book Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev on Dec. 19". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  53. ^ Krohn, Frazer (29 November 2020). "Khamzat Chimaev Tests Positive for COVID-19". MMASucka.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  54. ^ Harkness, Ryan (29 November 2020). "Report: Khamzat Chimaev has COVID-19, December 19 fight in jeopardy". MMAmania.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  55. ^ Colman, Gabriel (3 December 2020). "Leon Edwards gives update on his condition after Covid-19 rules him out of UFC fight with Khamzat Chimaev". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  56. ^ "Sources: Edwards-Chimaev off after positive test". ESPN.com. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  57. ^ Sherdog.com. "Dana White Officially Announces 'Fight Island' Tripleheader, Including Edwards vs. Chimaev". Sherdog. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  58. ^ "Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards Gets a New Date". EssentiallySports. 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  59. ^ Brett Okamoto (29 December 2020). "Sources: Khamzat Chimaev withdraws from Jan. 20 Leon Edwards fight". ESPN. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
  60. ^ Danny Segura (30 December 2020). "COVID-19 complications led to Khamzat Chimaev's withdrawal from Leon Edwards bout". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  61. ^ Heck, Mike (30 December 2020). "Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny now headlines UFC Fight Island 8". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  62. ^ Martin, Damon (13 January 2021). "Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev rebooked to headline UFC event on March 13". MMA Fighting. Archived from the original on 13 January 2021. Retrieved 13 January 2021.
  63. ^ Brett Okamoto (11 February 2021). "Khamzat Chimaev out against Leon Edwards due to COVID-19, Dana White says". ESPN. Archived from the original on 12 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  64. ^ "Sources: Belal Muhammad steps in to face Leon Edwards at UFC Fight Night on March 13". ESPN. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  65. ^ Doherty, Dan (13 March 2021). "UFC Vegas 21 Results: Accidental Eye Poke Ends Main Event". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
  66. ^ Taylor, Christopher (31 March 2021). "Nate Diaz is back! Set to fight Leon Edwards at UFC 262 | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. Archived from the original on 31 March 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  67. ^ Damon Martin (3 May 2021). "Leon Edwards vs. Nate Diaz rescheduled from UFC 262 in May to UFC 263 in June". mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  68. ^ Doherty, Dan (12 June 2021). "UFC 263 Results: Leon Edwards Survives Late Push from Nate Diaz, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  69. ^ "Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards set to meet at final pay-per-view of the year at UFC 269". MMA Junkie. 11 October 2021. Archived from the original on 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  70. ^ "Jorge Masvidal out of UFC 269 fight vs. Leon Edwards". MMA Junkie. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  71. ^ Mahjouri, Shakiel (10 November 2021). "Jorge Masvidal vs. Leon Edwards scrapped from UFC 269, Khamzat Chimaev steps up". MMAmania.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  72. ^ Staff (11 June 2022). "UFC 278 set for Salt Lake City with Kamaru Usman vs. Leon Edwards 2 headlining". mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  73. ^ "Edwards shocks Usman with late head-kick KO". ESPN.com. 21 August 2022. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  74. ^ a b "UFC 278 post-fight bonuses: Leon Edwards earns $50k for stunning head kick KO of Kamaru Usman". www.bloodyelbow.com. 21 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  75. ^ Dan Hiergesell. "UFC 278 'Fight Motion' video: Did Leon Edwards deliver the greatest knockout in UFC history?". MMA Mania. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
  76. ^ Damon Martin (14 January 2023). "Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 set for UFC 286 in London". mmafighting.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  77. ^ Jay Anderson (18 March 2023). "UFC 286: Leon Edwards overcomes point deduction, defends Welterweight title against Kamaru Usman". Cageside Press. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  78. ^ Martin, Damon (20 September 2023). "Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2 set to headline UFC 296". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  79. ^ Martin, Damon (17 December 2023). "Leon Edwards cruises to victory over lethargic Colby Covington in UFC 296 main event". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  80. ^ "Leon Edwards - Official UFC® Fighter Profile". Archived from the original on 30 May 2018. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  81. ^ Shinbt, Jagroop (8 March 2018). "Rocky and the Assassin, the Birmingham brothers looking to dominate MMA". BBC. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  82. ^ "Recap Leon Edwards' knockout win over Seth Baczynski (don't worry, it won't take long!)". MMA Junkie. 13 March 2021. Archived from the original on 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  83. ^ a b J. Cunningham (16 January 2023). "Dana White's UFC 2022 President's Choice Award Winners Revealed". mmanews.com. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  84. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (22 December 2022). "The Knockouts - 2022 UFC.com Awards". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  85. ^ Thomas Gerbasi (21 December 2022). "The Upsets - 2022 UFC.com Awards". Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  86. ^ UFC (16 December 2023). "Leon Edwards tames Colby Covington in one-sided win at UFC 296". ABC News.
  87. ^ a b UFC (16 December 2023). "UFC Stats - Welterweight Division". ufc.com.
  88. ^ UFC (16 December 2023). "UFC Fight Stats - Welterweight Division". ufc.com.
  89. ^ Mike Bohn (28 August 2022). "MMA Junkie's Knockout of the Month for August: A stunning head kick claims gold". MMAjunkie.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  90. ^ Brett Okamoto (22 December 2022). "MMA 2022 awards: The best fighter, finish, prospect and more". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  91. ^ Staff (1 January 2023). "MMA 2022 Year in Review: Comeback of the Year". Cagesidepress.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  92. ^ Staff (1 January 2023). "MMA 2022 Year in Review: Knockout of the Year". Cagesidepress.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
  93. ^ Quilty, Cauley (6 January 2023). "2022 MMA Awards Show – Fans & Editors Edition". Violent Money TV.
  94. ^ "VMTV 2023 UK MMA Awards Show". Violent Money TV. 9 January 2024.
  95. ^ a b c d Bryan Tucker (14 December 2023). "World MMA Awards 2023 Results". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
  96. ^ "UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 | MMA Event". Tapology.
  97. ^ "UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3 | MMA Event". Tapology.
  98. ^ "UFC 296: Edwards vs. Covington | MMA Event". Tapology.

External links


Awards and achievements
Preceded by 13th UFC Welterweight Champion
August 20, 2022 – present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leon_Edwards&oldid=1217156705"