Leon Edwards: A Fighting Mentality In and Out The Octagon

LEON EDWARDS

A fighting mentality in and out the octagon

Leon Edwards speaks exclusively with Premier Sports Network about his journey to becoming a UFC Champion, how his mentality has driven his success, and his motivation to inspire the next generation.

How did you get into MMA?

I got into MMA at the age of 17 because I was getting into trouble as a youth and my mum suggested it to keep me away from hanging around on the streets. As soon as I went to the gym, I fell in love with it.

Who has been your biggest inspiration on the journey to UFC Champion?

My family, my mum and my son. Trying to make a better life for them and seeing how hard my mum worked motivates me to push harder in training and want to achieve greatness, so I would say they’re my biggest inspiration

What does it mean, for you, to be a fighter and what motivates you?

It means the world to me to be a fighter, especially because I didn’t grow up in an environment where martial arts was around, and now martial arts has changed my life and my families life. It means the world to me that I can use it to motivate other youth that grew up the way that I grew up.

What would you say separates you from other fighters in the division?

I think it’s my mentality. My will to win and to not give up and keep fighting is what seperates me.

“It means the world to me that I can use it to motivate other youth that grew up the way that I grew up”

If you could have a dream fight with anyone, who would it be?

Anderson Silva, because he was my idol growing up and when I first got into MMA. He’s a guy I look up to and my MMA GOAT. So, to test my skills against him, that would be my dream fight.

How did you prepare mentally for your championship fight vs Usman, given that you had fought previously?

I’ve always been mentally solid, so I’ve never needed much mental preparation. I get my mental strength from my background and how hard I work in my training camp. I know if I put the work in during camp, I will get the result. For Kamaru, because I’d fought him before, I knew how he felt. So I wasn’t fazed as far as competing against him again. I just had to put the work in, listen to my team and I knew I would be mentally prepared and ready.

As a fighter, how important is it to have a strong support system around you in your journey as an individual?

Having a support system around you, having a great family, a great team, coaches, it means the world. Fighting is an individual sport but before you step into the octagon it’s a team sport, because you’re with your team and family every day and those are the ones that train you and get you mentally prepared. I feel that your support system has to be right, a happy fighter is a great fighter. I have a great team around me, and they keep me in the right space.

How have Paradigm provided you with guidance in your career and personal life?

By teaming up with Paradigm, in the last five or six years, they have taken my career to the next level. They have helped me in all aspects of sport and even in life. I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my career, teaming up with Paradigm sports.

What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your career?

When it’s all said and done, I want to be remembered as the GOAT, as the best to ever do it, one that was for the people and one that never changed up, I stayed myself and achieved my goal. I want to go down as the GOAT and one that did it my way.

What is the most significant lesson you have learnt so far in your career?

Believe in yourself and don’t listen to the outside noise. As long as you believe in yourself and work hard, you can achieve anything.

“Having a support system around you, having a great family, a great team, coaches, it means the world.”