Leon Edward made history on Sunday, August 21, 2022 by becoming the second British mixed martial artist to win an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 278 welterweight title.
The 30-year-old shocked many when he beat favorite Kamaru Usman alias The Nigerian Nightmare to bag the coveted title in an entertaining fight staged in Utah, United States.
He did not only avenge his 2015 defeat in the hands of Usman, but also ended the Nigerian’s 15-fight UFC unbeaten run.
Also Read: Africans Dominating UFC
Edwards, who is nicknamed the Rocky, produced a spectacular head kick with a single minute remaining to the end of the fight to floor Usman.
Joe Rogan, UFC commentator described the kick as one of the best ever seen in the history of the competition.
His success did not come on a silver platter, Edwards journey to triumph was full of obstacles.
He grew up in Jamaica before his parents relocated to the United Kingdom when he was aged 9.
Edwards was exposed to violence at a tender age since his dad was a leader of one of the criminal gangs in Kingston, Jamaica.
Shortly after they had settled in Birmingham, his dad was killed and thus Edwards joined mixed martial arts.
Also Read: Muhammad Ali’s World Title Belt Sold for KSH734 Million
Speaking after the fight, Edwards could not hide his delight for being crowned the new UFC 278 champion.
"I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wooden shed with a zinc roof. Look at me now. Pound for pound, head shot, dead. That's it.
"I said it's possible, we can win a belt from the UK, I told you," he was quoted by BBC Sport.
He also thanked his mother and UFC president Dana White for giving him an opportunity to showcase his skills.
"I want to first of all thank god. Mum, I love you, I told you I'd do it for you, I told you I'd change your life.
“All week I felt like this was my moment, everything in the past, the two years, the pandemic, look at me now, I'm the champion of the world.
“Thank you Dana [White - UFC president], and to the UFC for giving an opportunity to a kid who was born with nothing, thank you," ended an emotional Edwards.
Also Read: Why UFC 270 Will Be Francis Ngannou Last Match