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
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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!
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.
Edwards emphasizes the importance of mental preparation in fighting, highlighting calmness and strategic execution over emotional reactions like anger.
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.
UFC's Cultural Significance
The discussion highlights how UFC has transformed into a major global sporting event worth over a billion dollars. It has successfully captured the attention of audiences, comparable to traditional sports like American football and basketball. The sport's connection to modern celebrity culture was explored, particularly its association with figures like Donald Trump and Dana White, the UFC president. This intertwining of politics and sports illustrates how the UFC serves as a contemporary coliseum, reflecting the current political climate's gladiatorial aspects.
The Psychology Behind Competition
Edwards emphasized the psychological aspects of fighting, particularly how emotional states like anger could hinder performance. He shared insights on remaining calm and focused during fights, contrasting emotional reactions with rational decision-making. This approach underscored the importance of mental preparation in a high-stakes environment, where the ability to execute strategies outweighs the need for revenge or aggression. The discussion also hinted at the broader implications of handling competitive pressures in various aspects of life.
The Rough realities of Early Life
Leon Edwards recounted his upbringing, marked by exposure to violence and gang culture in Jamaica, which affected his teenage years in Birmingham. He faced risks of falling into the same lifestyle after his father's death, which drove him toward gang affiliations and minor criminal activities. Being arrested for carrying knives was a wake-up call, prompting his mother to help him find direction through mixed martial arts. Ultimately, the gym became a transformative space in his life, shifting his focus from crime to professional fighting.
Physical Violence vs. Competitive Fighting
The podcast discussed the distinction between street fighting and competitive mixed martial arts, highlighting how the latter can be viewed as a healthier outlet for physical aggression. Edwards argued that MMA, while seen as violent, often involves less head trauma compared to boxing due to varied training methods that focus on technique without excessive sparring. This led to a broader conversation about safety in combat sports and the measures taken to educate fighters on reducing the risks of injury. By understanding the control and discipline inherent in MMA, the sport's aggressive image was challenged and put into a different perspective.
Louis is joined in the studio by MMA fighter and UFC welterweight champion, Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards. Leon talks about rubbing shoulders with Andrew Tate, how MMA saved him from a life of crime and what happened when Donald Trump came to see him fight. Plus, Leon puts Louis’s physical strength to the test…
Warnings: Strong languageand adult themes
Links/Attachments:
‘MMA Fighting’s 2022 Knockout of the Year: Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman’ - MMA Fighting