Leon Edwards's story is one of the most compelling in modern MMA. Born in Jamaica and raised in Birmingham, England after his father was killed in gang violence, Edwards fought through a career full of obstacles -- losses early on, a long stretch without a title shot despite a dominant winning run, and an emotional rivalry with Kamaru Usman.
The knockout at UFC 278 that won him the welterweight title was one of the most dramatic moments in UFC history. Down on scorecards in round five, Edwards landed a left high kick with 54 seconds remaining that transferred the belt. He defended it successfully before eventually losing it to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 in November 2025 when Makhachev moved up from lightweight to claim two-division gold.
Edwards held the belt for over three years and defended it multiple times. The loss to Makhachev doesn't diminish what he built -- he was one of the best welterweights of his generation. He's a former champion with a remarkable story, from Birmingham's streets to the top of the world.
- Former UFC Welterweight Champion (UFC 278 through UFC 322)
- KO'd Kamaru Usman with a head kick in R5 at UFC 278
- 10-fight unbeaten streak before winning the title
- Multiple title defenses
- British MMA pioneer who brought global attention to UK fighters
- 01Left high kick (the championship kick)
- 02Jab-right hand-left kick combination
- 03Takedown from the Muay Thai clinch
- 04Counter overhand right
- 05Body kick to the liver
- 06Spinning back kick
Leon Edwards is the poster for perseverance. Show your kids the highlight of that head kick and then tell them he'd been grinding for 10 years to get there. He held the belt for three years and lost it to a two-division champion. That's not a failure story. That's a legacy.