Rocky and the Assassin, the Birmingham brothers looking to dominate MMA
- Published
The Edwards brothers are eyeing world titles in two different MMA promotions
Leon and Fabian Edwards grew up in part of Birmingham surrounded by "a lot of gang culture", but found their calling when they channelled their energy into MMA.
Leon, 26, is considered to be one of the best welterweights in the UFC - he is ranked 15th - and has been a regular face in the organisation for over four years. He'll be fighting against Poland's Peter Sobotta at UFC Fight Night at London's O2 on 17 March.
His younger brother, Fabian, 24, fights for UK-based promotion BAMMA and has his eyes set on championship glory. He'll take one step closer to a middleweight title shot if he can defeat Kent Kauppinen at BAMMA 34 a week before his brother’s fight, just a few miles across London at Wembley Arena.
Both fighters train at the UTC Gym in Erdington, Birmingham, alongside fighters such as Geordie Shore star-turned-MMA fighter, Aaron Chalmers.
The BBC MMA Show caught up with the brothers to discuss what it’s like to be part of a family that’s passionate about fighting.
"Growing up around here, back in the day there was a lot of gang culture," said Leon AKA 'Rocky'. "My mum brought me to this gym to keep me off the streets, keep me out of trouble, and to give me some focus. Nine years later, here I am in the UFC’s top 15 ranked welterweights.
"My brother followed shortly after, around 2015, and, having been in the game now for a long time, it’s good to see him here."
Fabian has had three professional fights, tallying up a 100% win record with stoppages in all three.
"My brother was the one that opened my eyes to the sport, but I’ve always liked fighting since I was a kid," Fabian said. "He’s always been in my corner for all the fights I’ve ever had, giving me good advice.
"I like having him there, someone that really cares for me. If I’m making a mistake, he’ll be on to me, he won’t let me slack, and I listen to him more than everyone else."
'The Assassin', as Fabian is nicknamed, has returned the favour by cornering his brother at some of his UFC fights.
"Fabian cornered me at my UFC 204 fight in Manchester and it was good having him there,” Leon said. “I mostly brought him to show him what the big show was like; that there’s not much difference from the BAMMA scene to the big show. I wanted him to see that he can make it and the dream is real.”
Leon said even more members of the Edwards family are lining up a career in mixed martial arts. "I’ve got younger brothers and younger sisters. I’ve got a son too, and they’ll definitely be doing MMA.
"Everyone in the gym, in the family, all train together, day in, day out, and it’s good to see everyone achieving the same goal, that we all started out as kids, now in the UFC and in BAMMA.
"My goal right now is to get the world title and I think my brother will be joining me very soon in the UFC."
Fabian added: "That’s the plan, to join the UFC and start entering the top 15 like my brother has, then start chasing world titles.
Both fighters laughed off whether they’d ever exchange blows in an octagon one day. "We’re totally different weight, so I’d never fight him," said Leon.
Fabian has a decent answer ready to go whenever he gets asked the same question. "I’m like, 'Would you ever fight your brother?'"
The fighters' mum certainly wouldn't be keen anyway - she already covers her eyes whenever her boys step in to fight, so she'd really struggle if they ever went toe to toe.
The brothers' skills will be tested over the next two weekends when they compete across the BAMMA and UFC cards in London, and the pair have clear targets ahead.
Leon is keen to move up from his top 15 ranking and challenge for a top 10 spot. As for Fabian, he said: "I’m going to go out there, put on a good performance, and then go for the BAMMA world title."
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