At the same time as a UFC world champion, if Leon Edwards is late to the fitness center, he has to scrub it.
That’s simply one of many guidelines that ‘Rocky’ abides by at his fitness center, Workforce Renegade, in Birmingham, England. Throughout a current look on Up Entrance with Simon Jordan, the reigning welterweight titleholder spoke concerning the close-knit tradition of his fitness center which has helped him turn out to be not solely among the finest fighters on this planet however a well-rounded and respectful human being.
The fundamental guidelines of the fitness center are in case you’re late you clear the mats,” Edwards mentioned. “To at the present time, if I’m late, whilst a world champion, I clear. There’s a tradition in our fitness center and it teaches the youthful guys arising beneath you respect and that you just’re not larger than the fitness center. Not larger that what’s happening right here within the fitness center.
“I really feel like some individuals come to the fitness center and so they’re sort of like… They assume it’s all about them greater than the fitness center and the staff. We’re all working towards this one purpose to be a world champion. One hand washes the opposite. You must be disciplined. You must have manners. I nonetheless abide by the foundations and that makes me extra relatable to the blokes within the fitness center.”
Edwards’ feedback come a couple of months after fellow UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry was pressured out of the fitness center after it grew to become obvious that Garry was “not including to the staff’s tradition”
Garry was fast in charge the expulsion on Edwards, claiming the champ had “insecurities or doubts” about having one other ranked contender in the identical division contained in the fitness center. Representatives with Workforce Renegade shortly snapped again, making it clear that Garry’s “nomadic” method to coaching was merely not meshing with the tradition they’ve labored arduous to develop.
Leon Edwards Appears to be like Again on Colby Covington’s Vile Remark About His Deceased Father
Leon Edwards’ final flip contained in the Octagon got here at UFC 295 in December when he returned to defend his welterweight title in opposition to divisional gatekeeper Colby Covington. Regardless of a protracted layoff and a mediocre 2-2 report in his final 4 fights, ‘Chaos’ managed to speak his manner into one more title shot that he finally fumbled when it got here time to cease speaking and begin performing.
Forward of their conflict inside T-Cell Area, Covington drew the ire of fighters and followers alike after he made a very vile crack about Leon Edwards‘ deceased father. The remark practically sparked a brawl between the 2, however cooler heads prevailed and a scuffle was prevented.
Wanting again on the incident, ‘Rocky’ realizes that Covington was merely doing what he does to promote fights. However he additionally believes that there’s a very high-quality line and ‘Chaos’ clearly crossed it in that occasion.
“It took loads for me to settle down, however initially… It’s probably not drawing the road, nevertheless it simply exhibits what sort of particular person he’s. He’s a scumbag to make use of that to promote a combat,” Edwards mentioned. “I do know he does what he does. He talks sh*t, Donald Trump, and blah, blah, blah. I sort of roll with it, however when he goes that low, I believe it simply exhibits what sort of human being you might be. I don’t imagine they need to use the demise of somebody’s mother and father or anybody to promote fights. There’s nothing in it.
“It took loads for me to refocus my mind and settle down and imagine that he’s doing it simply to attract me out so he can go on the market and combat his combat.”
Following the altercation, Edwards obtained some calming phrases from his coaches and his household which helped him to enter the combat with a transparent head moderately than emotionally charged.
“The UFC did an excellent job of maintaining us aside so I wasn’t capable of see him or get to him earlier than the combat,” Edwards continued. “I talked to my coaches, my mother, and everybody. They had been like, settle down. Don’t play into his arms. Don’t go on the market emotional and begin scrapping with him and taking part in into his recreation plan.”
Requested if what Covington mentioned made it extra pleasant to step contained in the Octagon with him, Edwards couldn’t deny that the hurtful phrases from his challenger made it simpler and far more fascinating to punch him within the face come combat night time.
“It makes it simpler to combat him. It makes you look ahead to hurting him,” he added. “I really feel prefer it undoubtedly helps. Offer you extra of that [desire] to bodily damage them so it helps so far as competing, however does it assist promoting the combat? For me, no. I really feel such as you shouldn’t do it.”
Although no official announcement has been made, Leon Edwards is anticipated to place his title on the road later this 12 months in opposition to No. 2 ranked contender Belal Muhammad.
