Name | Leon Edwards |
Leon Edwards Net worth | $2 million to $4 million (estimated) |
Nickname | Rocky |
Date of birth | August 25, 1991 |
Place of birth | Kingston, Jamaica |
Residence | Erdington, Birmingham, England |
Height | 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) |
Weight | 170 pounds (77 kg) |
Division | Welterweight |
Reach | 74 inches (188 cm) |
Team | Team Renegade BJJ & MMA |
Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
MMA record | 21 wins, 3 losses, 1 no contest |
UFC titles | UFC Welterweight Champion (current) |
Relationship status | In a relationship |
Son | Jayon Edwards |
Brother | Fabian Edwards |
Religion | Christian |
Leon Edwards is a Jamaican-English mixed martial artist who won the UFC Welterweight Championship in August 2022. As of June 2023, his net worth is estimated to be $2 million to $4 million.
In this article, we will explore how Edwards became one of the best welterweights in the UFC, how he earns his money, and how he spends it.
Who is Leon Edwards and what is his background?
Leon Edwards was born on 25 August 1991 in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to England during his childhood.
He had a rough childhood as his father was killed when Edwards was just 13 years old, which set him down a wayward path early on.
During his teenage years, Edwards ran with the wrong crowd and committed several crimes before his mother had him join an MMA club and it changed his life.
Edwards began training at 17 years old, and within two years began fighting at the amateur level with a win over Carl Booth.
He started his professional MMA fighting career debut with a technical knockout win over Damian Zlotnicki.
What are his achievements and highlights in the UFC?
Edwards moved up to the middleweight division for his second career fight and defeated Pawel Zwiefka, but dropped his third match via disqualification against Delroy McDowell.
Edwards then went on a winning streak when he joined BAMMA, going 5-0 during that time between 2012 and 2014. In May 2014, Edwards won the BAMMA Welterweight Championship by defeating Wayne Murrie via submission and defended his title against Shaun Taylor before fighting for Dana White and the UFC.
Edwards actually lost his UFC debut against Claudio Silva, but rebounded with wins against Seth Baczynski and Pawel Pawlak.
Following his loss to Kamaru Usman in 2015, Edwards began a winning streak that included wins over Rafael dos Anjos and Nate Diaz and culminated with a win over Usman for the UFC Welterweight Championship in August 2022 at UFC 278.
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He avenged his previous loss by knocking out Usman in the fourth round, which earned him performance bonus and the championship belt.
Edwards has defended his title once since then against Kamaru Usman in their trilogy fight, which took place in the main event of UFC 286.
According to MMA analyst Joe Rogan, Leon Edwards’ life story is inspiring and remarkable.
“Leon Edwards has an amazing story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness. He came from a tough background and faced many challenges in his life. But he never gave up on his passion and pursued his goals with determination and courage. He is a true champion and a role model for many.”
Some of his career highlights include:
- Winning the BAMMA Welterweight Championship
- Winning the UFC Welterweight Championship
- Winning the Performance of the Night bonus four times
- Winning the Fight of the Night bonus once
- Having a 12-fight winning streak in the UFC
According to MMA coach Tom Breese, Leon Edwards’ career highlights and achievements are impressive and commendable.
“Leon Edwards is one of the best welterweight fighters in the world and the current UFC champion. He has shown his skills, versatility and consistency in his fights. He has defeated some of the biggest names in the sport and has broken many records. He is a phenomenal fighter and a great person.”
How does Leon Edwards earn his money?
Leon Edwards earns most of his money from his fighting career in the UFC.
He gets paid a base salary for each fight, plus a win bonus if he wins, plus a performance bonus if he wins the Fight of the Night or Performance of the Night award.
He also gets paid from sponsorship deals and pay-per-view points.
According to The Sports Daily, here is an estimated breakdown of Leon Edwards’ career earnings from his UFC fights:
Event | Opponent | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Performance Bonus | Sponsorship | Total Earnings |
UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping | Claudio Silva | Loss | $13,000 | – | – | $3,000 | $16,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Gonzaga vs. Cro Cop 2 | Seth Baczynski | Win | $8,000 | $8,000 | $50,000 | – | $66,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites | Pawel Pawlak | Win | $12,000 | $12,000 | – | $2,500 | $26,500 |
UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2 | Kamaru Usman | Loss | $15,000 | – | – | $2,500 | $17,500 |
UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Arlovski | Dominic Waters | Win | $15,000 | $15,000 | – | $2,500 | $32,500 |
UFC 204: Bisping vs. Henderson 2 | Albert Tumenov | Win | $17,000 | $17,000 | – | $5,000 | $39,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Manuwa vs. Anderson | Vicente Luque | Win | $19,000 | $19,000 | – | $5,000 | $43,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Ponzinibbio | Bryan Barberena | Win | $30,000 | $30,000 | – | $5,000 | $65,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Werdum vs. Volkov | Peter Sobotta | Win | $32,000 | $32,000 | – | $5,000 | $69,000 |
UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Edwards | Donald Cerrone | Win | $50,000 | $50,000 | – | $5,000 | $105,000 |
UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Edwards | Rafael dos Anjos | Win | $54,000 | $54,000 | – | $10,000 | $118,000 |
UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori 2 | Nate Diaz | Win | $110,000 | $110,000 | – | $11,000 | $231,000 |
UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 | Kamaru Usman | Win | $350,000 | – | $50,000 | $32,000 | $432,000 |
UFC 286: Edwards vs. Usman 3 | Kamaru Usman | Win | $542,000 | – | $67,500 | $42,500 | $652,500 |
Leon Edwards Total career Earnings: $1913,000
However, this does not include his earnings from other sources such as PPV and/or “locker room” bonuses, endorsements, investments etc.
You may also be interested to read about Khamzat Chimaev’s remarkable journey.
Leon Edwards Endorsement
Leon Edwards also earns money from his endorsement deals with various brands, such as Iconic Menswear, Venum, and Monster Energy.
- Iconic Menswear: A UK-based clothing brand that offers premium quality menswear and accessories. Edwards is one of their ambassadors and often wears their products in his social media posts and interviews.
- Venum: A French sports equipment and apparel company that specializes in MMA, boxing and fitness. Edwards is one of their sponsored athletes and wears their gear in his fights and training sessions.
- Monster Energy: An American energy drink company that sponsors many athletes and events in various sports. Edwards is one of their sponsored fighters and drinks their products before and after his fights.
He also promotes his own clothing line, Rocky Apparel.
According to MMA journalist John Mulder, Leon Edwards’ net worth is impressive considering his humble beginnings and his rise to fame.
“Leon Edwards went from being one of the best amateur mixed martial artists in England to a global sensation and champion in the UFC. He has worked hard, dedicated himself and stayed faithful to his dreams. He deserves every penny he makes and more.”
How does Leon Edwards spend his money?
Leon Edwards life style
Leon Edwards spends his money on his lifestyle and his family. He lives in his hometown of Erdington, Birmingham, in the UK.
He drives a Mercedes GLE and owns other assets. He also travels around the world for his fights and vacations.
Leon Edwards Charity Work
Leon Edwards is also involved in charity work and social causes.
He is affiliated with OnSide, a UK-based youth charity that aims to build facilities called “Youth Zones” in the poorest areas of the country.
These facilities provide young people with affordable access to various opportunities and activities such as sports, arts, music, mentoring and education.
Edwards supports OnSide by donating money, raising awareness and visiting the Youth Zones.
He also mentors some of the young people who attend the facilities and shares his story and advice with them.
Watch the video below to gain insights into his financial success as the UFC welterweight champion.
Wealth Management and Philanthropy
With substantial earnings, Edwards emphasizes proper wealth management to secure his financial future.
While specific details about his investments are undisclosed, it is crucial for athletes like Edwards to maintain a diverse portfolio, considering factors such as retirement planning and asset allocation.
Furthermore, Edwards is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors.
As a supporter of the OnSide youth charity, he has offered both financial contributions and mentorship to young individuals seeking guidance and opportunities.
The Legacy Continues
Leon Edwards’ net worth serves as a testament to his relentless dedication and success within the UFC.
As he continues to defend his title and advance his career, his financial standing is poised for even greater heights.
He is currently preparing for his next title defense against Colby Covington, who is his biggest rival and threat.
Edwards is confident that he will beat Covington and cement his legacy as the best welterweight of all time.
Beyond the Octagon, Edwards exemplifies the importance of responsible wealth management and giving back to society.
These qualities, coupled with his undeniable talent, make him an inspiration for aspiring fighters worldwide.
FAQ
How much does Leon Edwards make per fight?
Leon Edwards’ salary per fight depends on his opponent, the event and his performance. He usually receives a base salary plus a win bonus, a performance bonus and a sponsorship fee. His last fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 paid him $652,500 in total.
What is Leon Edwards’ record?
Leon Edwards has a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 3 losses. He has 7 wins by knockout, 3 wins by submission and 11 wins by decision. He also has one no contest due to an accidental eye poke.
Who are Leon Edwards’ sponsors?
Leon Edwards has endorsement deals with several brands and companies, such as Iconic Menswear, Venum and Monster Energy. He also receives a sponsorship fee from the UFC’s official apparel partner, Venum.
What charity does Leon Edwards support?
Leon Edwards supports OnSide, a UK-based youth charity that builds facilities called “Youth Zones” in the poorest areas of the country. These facilities provide young people with affordable access to various opportunities and activities such as sports, arts, music, mentoring and education.
Who is Leon Edwards’ brother?
Leon Edwards has a brother named Fabian Edwards who is also a professional MMA fighter and competes in Bellator. The brothers train together at Team Renegade BJJ & MMA in Birmingham.
Why is Leon Edwards nicknamed “Rocky”?
Leon Edwards is nicknamed “Rocky” after the famous movie character Rocky Balboa. He got this nickname from his coach Tom Breese who noticed his resemblance to the actor Sylvester Stallone.
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