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"He used my Dad's death to sell the fight, I couldn't wait to hurt him" 🥋 Leon Edwards | Up Front

Up Front
2024 ж. 21 Мам.
99 853 Рет қаралды
Жүктеу

In this episode, we are joined by our first ever guest from the world of MMA, the welterweight world champion of the world Leon Edwards.
One of just 3 UFC champions ever from the UK, Leon has a unique story full of tragedy, resilience and glory. Born in Jamaica before moving to Birmingham, Leon was raised around gang culture, tragically losing his father to gun crime at a young age. MMA would be his salvation, and he now sits on top of the MMA world having not tasted defeat in 9 years.
Join us as we discuss the rise of Mixed Martial Arts, Leon’s incredible rise, his battles against Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington and the future of crossover fights.
Subscribe now for the full episode and head to / channel .
Warning: This episode may contain strong language and references to violence. Viewer discretion advised. Remember, 18+ for gambling responsibly.
#ufc #leonedwards #simonjordan
00:00 Intro to Leon Edwards
00:59 Podcast starts
01:33 Leon teaches Simon about MMA
11:50 Mentality vs Ability
14:10 The profile of MMA in the UK
15:56 Leon’s journey
18:15 The affect of his father’s passing
20:25 His mother encouraging him to join MMA gym
21:46 How he fell in love with MMA
25:25 The culture of his gym
27:31 Putting together his corner team & trainer relationships
32:09 Losing his first fight in the UFC
33:24 Winning the world title
42:39 Leon’s media commitments
46:07 Colby Covington
49:39 Conor McGregor
51:53 Dana White
55:51 Cross-over fighting
01:00:54 What’s left for Leon Edwards?

Пікірлер

  • How Leon got overlooked for BBC sports personality of the year is baffling

    @nealefrancis9094@nealefrancis90943 ай бұрын

    • He would've won if he was a woman.

      @wifterofabifter@wifterofabifter3 ай бұрын

    • Because he doesn't have a personality

      @0ctanee@0ctanee3 ай бұрын

    • @@0ctanee Its not actually based on their personality, if it was Andy Murray wouldve never got one

      @rml4289@rml42893 ай бұрын

    • He has zero personality 😂

      @hmsp7799@hmsp77993 ай бұрын

    • @@hmsp7799 the award isnt about literal personality

      @rml4289@rml42893 ай бұрын

  • What a guy. He's been pretty awkward in most interviews etc before so I feel like his personality hasn't been able to shine enough but he seemed really relaxed here. Top bloke

    @courtwhyte7288@courtwhyte72883 ай бұрын

    • This is so true!

      @kelvey08@kelvey083 ай бұрын

    • I agree, He's still frustrating to listen to when answering questions though 🤣 Especially with simons questions when he wants to know differences between things like mma and boxing and is it considered quitting when being choked out, I'm sat here thinking Gaaaah its easy to answer! you can do it bro 🤣 Such a nice guy though so its hard to hate.

      @jimjogger306@jimjogger3063 ай бұрын

  • I know i say this on every leon video. But this dude is the chillest coolest most humble motherfucker, how can anyone not respect this guy.

    @KingTheJim@KingTheJim3 ай бұрын

  • Leon should be represented by the British media in a meaningful and respectful way. The BBC won't go near the boy for more than five minutes a year.

    @JOHNBOYC2@JOHNBOYC23 ай бұрын

    • 5 minutes after the head kick and nothing since it’s a disgrace

      @bt7033@bt70333 ай бұрын

    • The bbc prefer to promote kiddy fiddlers 🤢🤮

      @ConfusedAnglerfish-ik5bx@ConfusedAnglerfish-ik5bx3 ай бұрын

  • Leon is so Technically smooth

    @philippebrown342@philippebrown3423 ай бұрын

    • 1 of the smoothest. Across any weight.

      @danamba7@danamba73 ай бұрын

    • Truly believe he could end his career as one of the best ever

      @bt7033@bt70333 ай бұрын

    • ​@@bt7033undefeated in the UFC since 2015.. still underrated even though he's the champ

      @Mcfc2Rich@Mcfc2Rich3 ай бұрын

  • Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall are superb role models for UK MMA competitors and fans alike. I can see them both being unbeaten for some time to come.

    @millysworld6150@millysworld61503 ай бұрын

    • Neither are unbeaten.

      @Bickle121@Bickle1213 ай бұрын

    • @@Bickle121 No one said they were.

      @millysworld6150@millysworld61503 ай бұрын

    • @@millysworld6150 you said you see being unbeaten, they can't go unbeaten as they've both lost already.

      @Bickle121@Bickle1213 ай бұрын

    • @@Bickle121 Maybe English is not your first language. Unbeaten for some time to come does not mean unbeaten in the past.

      @millysworld6150@millysworld61503 ай бұрын

    • @millysworld6150 @Bickle121 is just a pure and utter idiot!!! They're probably a KZhead troll just talking pure nonsense and garbage just to be annoying. I, like everyone else, knew what you meant. On your comment though, I think out of the two of them, Tom Aspinall has the harder task, because he will have to face Jon Jones to unify the title. I personally don't like Jon Jones, but as far as fighting goes, he's probably the GOAT, even with the pictograms, hiding under the octagon from USADA and everything else that comes with Jon Jones. He's fought all the best from the old era to the this era and is still undefeated. I know he's got that 1 lose on his record against Matt Hamel but he was dominating and destroying Hamel, until the illegal elbow, which should of been a NO Contest disqualification, but it called a loss by mistake, and the NSAC commission still hasn't overturned it, but Matt Hamel didn't beat him. The long layoff that Jones is going through with the injury, and the fact that he hasn't looked anything like his best for a while either, gives me a bit of hope for Tom Aspinall. On the flipside, although Jones hasn't been near his best for a while, he's still winning and still the champion. I personally think that both Thiago Santos and Dominic Reyes beat Jon Jones, especially Reyes, he definitely won the first 3 rounds and Jones won the last 2 rounds, 3-2 to Reyes, but the judges gave it to Jones both times, but it does show that Jones can be beat. However i thought Gane would do a whole lot better than he did, but if anyone could beat Jon Jones, it's Tom Aspinall. That's if Jones doesn't retire after fighting the 40+ ageing Stipe, which a lot of people think he's going to do.

      @No1.SPEAKINGTHETRUTH@No1.SPEAKINGTHETRUTH2 ай бұрын

  • Absolutely brilliant interview, a conversation between two true gents. Insightful and up front. Leon is one of our greatest athletes and it is about time people recognised that.

    @jakneal4544@jakneal45443 ай бұрын

    • yeah tragedy - he didn't win sports personality of the year last year sorry woke personality 🙄

      @richardprice9917@richardprice99173 ай бұрын

  • I'm not really into MMA but I always watch and look out for Edwards fights.

    @blunners@blunners3 ай бұрын

  • Brilliant fighter, beating Usman twice is unreal. Was nice to see him fling Covington about too. Very enjoyable chat.

    @ryanlever9253@ryanlever92533 ай бұрын

  • Far and away the best interview I've seen with Leon. I've never seen him so comfortable.

    @markusdeux1192@markusdeux11923 ай бұрын

    • Thought exactly same

      @BTAG75@BTAG753 ай бұрын

  • leon speaks so well. long live the king.

    @barry4529@barry45293 ай бұрын

    • Not all black people speak in slang, 😊

      @comesmokewithus@comesmokewithus3 ай бұрын

    • ​@@comesmokewithus Silly comment.

      @EireannSpeaks@EireannSpeaks3 ай бұрын

    • @@EireannSpeaks they only say this a bout black men. When have you ever seen " they speak so well about a white person ?

      @comesmokewithus@comesmokewithus3 ай бұрын

  • Brilliant interview, Leon is the man and the UK is so proud, wish Simon would get more into UFC, it will show him how far boxing has fallen off, UFC mostly puts on the fights people want to see and don't just have a terrible undercard filling for a big main event

    @digg_7@digg_73 ай бұрын

  • Leon is clearly an introverted person and leads by example (actions speak louder than words). A good interview that demonstrated that Leon is just comfortable being uncontrollable. A nice guy, but don’t take kindness for weakness…😂

    @thepsychologist7353@thepsychologist73533 ай бұрын

  • This will be epic, Leon the champ 🏆

    @deancurson1345@deancurson13453 ай бұрын

    • Will be?

      @R_W103@R_W1033 ай бұрын

    • ​@@R_W103He left his comment before this aired

      @stcr1980@stcr19803 ай бұрын

  • Couldn't be more proud of Leon. It was only a few years ago us brits were booing him when Masivdal fought Till. Super inspirational, insanely down to earth and humble as a man can be. All the best going forward Rocky 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Great interview from Simon, would love to see more UFC fighters on here. Bisping and Aspinall for sure

    @__t.m5@__t.m53 ай бұрын

    • England love a winner don't they

      @EireannSpeaks@EireannSpeaks3 ай бұрын

    • Speak for yourself, real MMA fans get behind all our british fighters, personally I've never booed edwards, and none of the other UFC fans I know have booed him.

      @GodofMMA23@GodofMMA233 ай бұрын

  • Great fighter, brilliant athlete, very good tactician, very well rounded. He's going to be hard to shift.

    @duncanwebb5732@duncanwebb57323 ай бұрын

    • fluke against usman, then he could do it the rematch (usman got robbed) and then another decision against washed pillowfists colby. shavkat, belal will take the belt off him and he will be unknown again

      @beaualoevv@beaualoevv3 ай бұрын

    • @@beaualoevv keep dreaming

      @ADK_MSE@ADK_MSE3 ай бұрын

    • @@ADK_MSEkeep being delusional son

      @beaualoevv@beaualoevv3 ай бұрын

    • ​@@beaualoevv​ Get used to making these salty excuses every time he wins, lol. And Still!

      @vanguardprime4636@vanguardprime46363 ай бұрын

    • ​@beaualoevv Worst troll on KZhead. No one takes you serious kid.

      @__D-B__@__D-B__3 ай бұрын

  • Honestly can't see why some people think it's such a bad thing to have a 'normal' personality as a champion. Listening to Leon speak about his gym rules and culture explains exactly why he is the way he is and it's fantastic. As he says, you don't need to be a dick to be a great champion, I think having more normal personalities as champions will do good for MMA in order to attract a more mature audience if it one day wants to reach Boxings level of respect. A great episode guys well done and good luck Leon, it's so good having a UK champion in a sport that has been dominated by everywhere else so far.

    @Cael175@Cael1753 ай бұрын

  • Respect to Leon it's usually such a unforgiving road becoming a UFC champ, Also Ngannou would be a great guest on the show 😎

    @philippebrown342@philippebrown3423 ай бұрын

  • Best interview so far on up front, didn’t need any controversy

    @michaellawson5116@michaellawson51163 ай бұрын

  • Great interview👏Leon Edwards is a really sound bloke and a very humble human being. Tough as they come but genuinely a really nice guy

    @user-jy6ug4yz6t@user-jy6ug4yz6t3 ай бұрын

    • Of all mma guys, Leon SHOULD be the toughest talker... about being the "real gangster." Because his dad was the leader of a gang --- who went on to die from that life style --- and Leon, too, was slowly drifting into that life. Yet, as he himself said it, MMA pulled him away from that gang life and Leon now (some 15 years into MMA) is among the most humbled, and is one of the most accomplished, most skilled athletes in the world.

      @kiabtoomlauj6249@kiabtoomlauj62493 ай бұрын

  • Without a doubt the best interview so far. Witty, engaging and entertaining. Genuinely disappointed when the interview ended

    @adbrown5701@adbrown57013 ай бұрын

  • Real talk from Simon as always 🙌 I’m not into MMA , but this is a great and fascinating interview

    @irons1141@irons11413 ай бұрын

  • This will be superb. I know Simon isn't overly enammered with MMA but I know he'll of done his research on the kid & will of enjoyed learning some of the goings on within the MMA community.

    @228-Jam@228-Jam3 ай бұрын

    • More importantly did you learn something too?

      @justbreakingballs@justbreakingballs3 ай бұрын

    • @@justbreakingballs what's that go to do with the price of cheese

      @declanshanahan3888@declanshanahan38883 ай бұрын

  • Up there with your best interviews. What a man, came across really well here

    @mcwh1161@mcwh11613 ай бұрын

  • Been routing for Leon this long time, absolutely delighted to where he’s got.. fully deserved through talent and a great man.. his journeys far from over.. Cmon Leon 💪🏻

    @stiofain4693@stiofain46933 ай бұрын

  • One of the most likeable guys in combat sports. Class act & a fellow brummy! Legend 👊🏽

    @TheAnxiousInvestor@TheAnxiousInvestor3 ай бұрын

  • I think this is the most relaxed ive seen leon in an interview great stuff

    @skippymillward@skippymillward3 ай бұрын

  • So good to see Leon on this. The guy is a pure technician while being a ruthless warrior. And carries himself with class. Great to see him get the recognition and exposure of mr Jordan.

    @nataliemckail8781@nataliemckail87813 ай бұрын

  • Best episode by far!

    @Osamabinlagging69@Osamabinlagging693 ай бұрын

  • Cant wait to watch this, Leon is a great ambassador for our country 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. True gentleman and top fighter too.

    @OldSchoolBoxing1@OldSchoolBoxing13 ай бұрын

  • amazing pod, Leon is the man!

    @user-ch1wr3cy6w@user-ch1wr3cy6w3 ай бұрын

  • Met leon in town , most genuine humble man , ❤ big love respect for evrything he achieved and what he will achieve , to him his family ❤

    @sarbdhami6048@sarbdhami604814 күн бұрын

  • What a great interview, we need to see more of these with Leon 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

    @paulbarratt2476@paulbarratt24763 ай бұрын

  • Thoroughly enjoyed this, cheers lads

    @MrDeancameron@MrDeancameron3 ай бұрын

  • What a warrior!! And seems a really humble down to earth man!!

    @peterdaly9989@peterdaly99893 ай бұрын

  • Absolutely Superb! Kudos to both Party’s. Love Leon

    @redmanneale5306@redmanneale53063 ай бұрын

  • Buzzing for this

    @nathandorrill1156@nathandorrill11563 ай бұрын

  • Brilliant interview , simon leon most naturally delivered , left me wanting more , very inspirational 👍 👏

    @sarbdhami6048@sarbdhami604814 күн бұрын

  • Great episode!

    @kamophasha7054@kamophasha70543 ай бұрын

  • Great interview, Rocky defo a real one plus its so refreshing to see a team ran as such, all for one and one for all, musketeer type shit, equality throughout. I've always been a massive fan of Leon's and knew man was on the way to greatness early on in his career but best get a move on if we talking about taking over St Pierre record. The best W/w ever keep the faith fam.

    @Trickiestree@Trickiestree3 ай бұрын

  • Absolutely brilliant episode. Jordan the best to really delve into the mind & this episode didn’t disappoint 👏

    @asaclark86@asaclark863 ай бұрын

  • By far the best interview, really got to know the real Leon Edwards, what a man, well played Simon.

    @harvey255@harvey2553 ай бұрын

  • I live in erdington and didn't know he was from there so great to learn about such a resilient young man to better his prospects and family line. Nothing but respect and admiration Leon 👊

    @jamesgibson3838@jamesgibson38383 ай бұрын

  • Brilliant interview

    @user-rd4sr3ec9i@user-rd4sr3ec9i3 ай бұрын

  • That was brilliant rocky 💯👏

    @user-mt8kt7cx9h@user-mt8kt7cx9h3 ай бұрын

  • So excited for this one love Leon

    @Cheeseburger777@Cheeseburger7773 ай бұрын

  • This is the content I like!!!

    @rjs8392@rjs83923 ай бұрын

  • Another great interview 👏

    @budsmokerspud367@budsmokerspud3673 ай бұрын

  • I love this crossover this was brilliant

    @charliepayne3152@charliepayne31523 ай бұрын

  • The UFC nice guys are a pleasure to watch and listen to. Leon, Wonderboy, GSP

    @JimmyJazz217@JimmyJazz2173 ай бұрын

  • Great interview. A very well rounded technical fighter and great champion.

    @charleszivaljevic1031@charleszivaljevic10313 ай бұрын

  • A real Icon. A great man that goes beyond race because he's not racist and he represents all people in the struggle reaching for something greater for themselves, their loved-ones, and their community. Pure class. And delivered one of the greatest moment in the octagon and post-fight moments in combat sport history that might be matched but can't be topped. What a great man and came up the real hard way.

    @cityliving9265@cityliving92653 ай бұрын

  • Leons journey is an incredible movie, release it!

    @l.s9457@l.s94572 ай бұрын

  • Best Leon Edwards interview by a mile.

    @liam10123@liam101233 ай бұрын

  • Brilliant episode 👏

    @sjgrainger92@sjgrainger923 ай бұрын

  • Good conversation this. Very easy to listen to and very respectable. Kudos to the 2 of them.

    @9740097432@97400974323 ай бұрын

  • Good interview

    @sly_tendencies87@sly_tendencies873 ай бұрын

  • Leon Edwards seems to be a down to earth, humble and well mannered man. I for one will continue to keep an eye on him and I hope he continues to realise his dreams and earn all the glory he desires.

    @tonywhitby8602@tonywhitby86022 ай бұрын

  • When I was young I trained at UTC, this was when Vaughan Lee was in the UFC! One of the most humble guys you will ever meet..

    @BH-tf5zz@BH-tf5zz3 ай бұрын

  • Leon's a real one ..much love 👊

    @user-rx2hw8up2j@user-rx2hw8up2j3 ай бұрын

  • Really enjoyed this interview Leon is normally a bit awkward in interviews as he doesn’t really like doing him but Simon did well in getting a good conversation out of him. Hopefully we can see Tom Aspinall on in a future episode.

    @michael7949@michael79493 ай бұрын

  • CLASS INTERVIEW

    @oliverholt8011@oliverholt80118 күн бұрын

  • Great to see Leon getting the respect he deserves

    @samfenl0n@samfenl0n3 ай бұрын

  • Love this interview, you can tell Leon likes Simons humour...I wonder if he's heard the phone call from Laurence bassini on talkSPORT about taking over Birmingham city🤣🤣

    @tomkirtutb1594@tomkirtutb15943 ай бұрын

  • Great interview Leon is an inspiration to any troubled young lads...as for Simon dear god where do I start ha but wish he would understand mma he still thinks it the 90s and classed as cage fighting...aw it's brutal u can hit a downed opponent but yeahbthen the ref pulls u off fight over look at boxing man 12 rounds continues head punches and if you get knocked down u get a count and then get to continue while still concussed so you get more repetitive punches to the head and get kio'd as your still niot all there

    @kevlowdon8822@kevlowdon88222 ай бұрын

  • Nice to see MMA get the platform to show the minds behind it

    @ellisjackson4485@ellisjackson44853 ай бұрын

  • Great skilled fighter & quality human being Leon ✌️

    @JamieFromLancs@JamieFromLancs3 ай бұрын

  • Great lad and a credit to British sports.

    @davew005@davew0053 ай бұрын

  • Love Leon ❤

    @steveyk4868@steveyk48682 ай бұрын

  • How did he not even get a mention for sports personality of the year

    @islamhome6360@islamhome63603 ай бұрын

  • i love Leon

    @ccaammtt@ccaammtt3 ай бұрын

  • Excellent interview Leon looked very comfortable

    @kathleenfinnerty226@kathleenfinnerty2262 ай бұрын

  • Well done Leon. You are doing a great job.

    @jackhill888@jackhill8883 ай бұрын

  • Keep the mma content coming.

    @garysherrratt1482@garysherrratt14823 ай бұрын

  • Leon Edward’s = Warrior Legend!!!

    @tonyd2455@tonyd24553 ай бұрын

  • Not an MMA fan but great interview. I'm amazed though that his team had no idea about high altitude training? Hardly something new.

    @declanshanahan3888@declanshanahan38883 ай бұрын

  • What an absolute inspiration. Fucking Love Leon

    @robbannatyne7593@robbannatyne75933 ай бұрын

  • Nice guy. Enjoyed this one.

    @kk_2753@kk_27533 ай бұрын

  • This man is the pride of Britain

    @Pwnziillaaaa@Pwnziillaaaa3 ай бұрын

  • Really enjoyed this one. Simon will convert into an MMA fan sooner rather than later

    @lysandrou88@lysandrou883 ай бұрын

  • Love Leon Edwards!

    @jarabotelho5275@jarabotelho52753 ай бұрын

  • A good number of my friends in Yorkshire died from ODs, suicide, and murder. I mean, a good number, close friends. I imagine the same happened to folks all over the UK living in small industrial towns. If young men want to kick the crap out of each other in a gym and keep fit at the same time, I say, go and do boys. It's good for you. Also, in my town and other towns, so-called 'hard men' and bullies spoil everyone's night out. They spoil school for the bullied. I've never met a martial artist who is a bully. Let the violent people get the violence out of their system in a place where it is allowed and safer than the street. Leon speaks the truth. He knows. He has lived on those streets, and look at him now! A nice bloke, who I imagine would never strike a person in the street, or resort to drug taking for happiness.

    @thetotaldepravity@thetotaldepravity3 ай бұрын

  • Boom! The big man Simon Jordan and Leon Edwards, what a combo!!

    @blackesteyes1133@blackesteyes11333 ай бұрын

  • Love mma more then boxing so chuffed for what Leon has achieved

    @carlbrown2538@carlbrown25383 ай бұрын

  • Rocky !! What a guy

    @Tonythomas19@Tonythomas193 ай бұрын

  • Great interviewee. Very likeable bloke..nice story

    @pooveshannaidoo9417@pooveshannaidoo94173 ай бұрын

  • Superb Journalism 👌🏼

    @10hutchie@10hutchie3 ай бұрын

  • what a top fighter and top fella

    @jonfernandezsoulfulhouse2616@jonfernandezsoulfulhouse26163 ай бұрын

  • The fact that Simon thinks mma is dangerous than boxing is laughable, Leon dude you smashed that interview

    @tomhudson7577@tomhudson75773 ай бұрын

    • Sorry if Simon hurt your feelings 😔

      @ConfusedAnglerfish-ik5bx@ConfusedAnglerfish-ik5bx3 ай бұрын

  • Simon = top LAD proper clobber! The DON of interviews

    @MW92.@MW92.3 ай бұрын

  • Great podcast

    @Shano_7@Shano_73 ай бұрын

  • God bless Leon and his family

    @J3nnings@J3nnings3 ай бұрын

  • Leon gained a fan in me nice fella.

    @deanwilson7031@deanwilson70313 ай бұрын

  • Leon is a real birmingham boy, tells it how it is. Legend in the game

    @agency380@agency3803 ай бұрын

  • Leon is the man

    @rjs8392@rjs83923 ай бұрын

  • Leon had to fight hard and never cuaght a break..delightful to see leons coach screaming and then leon with that headshot was so inspirational for young kids to watch..MMA IS ALL BOUT RESPECT AND SLOBY COVINGTON HAS ZERO HE BEAT A WASHED UP JORGE..HES A CLOWN.

    @Irishmush@Irishmush3 ай бұрын

  • Leon is a G

    @Clown_fighter@Clown_fighter3 ай бұрын

  • UFC is absolutely brilliant I love it been watching for 17 years and I said many years ago it’s on its way up and I like it more than boxing 90% of the time … there’s no fucking about in ufc the best fight the best 👊

    @Hitmanhart22804@Hitmanhart228043 ай бұрын

  • if simon got into MMA he could bring so much light to it in UK media

    @Arsy1999@Arsy19993 ай бұрын

  • Such a legend, a propwr british sportsmen we can be proud of. So many premadonas and pampered princesses thinking their better than they really are. Leon remains humble, absolutely top bloke

    @GB-yr1tc@GB-yr1tc3 ай бұрын
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