The Louis Theroux Podcast
S4 EP4: Leon Edwards on rubbing shoulders with Andrew Tate, the time Donald Trump saw him fight, and how MMA saved his life
Feb 4, 2025
UFC welterweight champion Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards joins Louis to share his dynamic journey from a challenging childhood in Jamaica to MMA stardom. He recounts rubbing shoulders with Andrew Tate and the surprising moment when Donald Trump attended one of his fights. Leon reflects on how mixed martial arts saved him from a life of crime and discusses the financial challenges fighters face. With humor and insight, he emphasizes resilience, the evolution of MMA, and even puts Louis's physical strength to the test!
01:08:19
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Quick takeaways
- Leon Edwards attributes his successful transition from a life of crime to being a UFC champion to the transformative power of mixed martial arts training.
- The podcast explores the intertwining of MMA with celebrity culture and politics, referencing how figures like Donald Trump engage with the sport.
Deep dives
Leon Edwards' Journey to MMA Stardom
Leon Edwards, born in Jamaica, moved to Birmingham at age nine after his father, a gang leader, was killed. In an effort to steer him away from trouble, his mother enrolled him in a local gym, where he began training in mixed martial arts. He turned professional in 2011 and joined the UFC in 2014, rapidly rising to prominence in the sport. Edwards achieved a significant milestone in 2022 when he claimed the UFC welterweight championship belt after a stunning knockout victory over Kamaru Usman, marking him as a notable figure in British MMA history.
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