Many UFC fighters find themselves with monikers that reflect their fighting style, their influences, or some that are just downright cool. But Leon Edwards’ story highlights the fact that sometimes, a nickname can be a testament to how far they have come to achieve their dreams under the bright lights of the Octagon.

While fans may be aware of his iconic post-fight speech after knocking out Kamaru Usman with a stunning head kick at UFC 278 in 2022, the story behind why he’s called ‘Rocky’ may not be as familiar in the MMA Sphere. This moniker, deeply rooted in his past, is more than just a label—it’s a symbol of his journey from a troubled youth to a UFC champion.

Why is Leon Edwards called ‘Rocky’?

In a piece published on ESPN in 2019, Edwards confessed that he got his nickname long before he began his journey in MMA. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Edwards and his family moved to Aston in Birmingham, England when he was just 9 years old. However, when he was 14, Edward’s world was shaken as his father was murdered in a nightclub in London. 

Already surrounded by gang violence and crime in the area where their family lived, his father’s death led Edwards down a dark path as he found himself joining a gang. Edwards revealed, “It pushed me more into gang life and crime, toward the negative. My mid-teens were my darkest years.”

He often found himself exposed to dangers and was arrested several times, but his ability to defend his friends and willingness to ‘scrap’ led to him earning his nickname. The welterweight champion confessed, “I fought all the time. That’s why my nickname is “Rocky.” I got that from school. That’s before I got into MMA. I got it just from scrapping in the streets.”

Sylvester Stallone’s character in the original 1976 classic film also had some parallels to Edwards’ journey as the on-screen ‘Rocky’ was a ‘loan shark’s collector in the film before he finds his way out through a shot at the world heavyweight champion, Apollo Creed. How did Leon Edwards find his way to the sport that would change his life?

How did Leon Edwards start fighting?

After several run-ins with the authorities which forced his mother to get him out of the police station, Leon Edwards’ life turned around when he was 17. Walking to a bus stop with his mother, she spotted a gym that was offering training in mixed martial arts which was surprisingly, located above a DVD rental store.

This was the turning point for ‘Rocky’ as he wasn’t even familiar with the concept of a ‘fair fight’ because of his time being involved in gangs. In an interview with BBC, Edwards confessed, “It was odd because at the time I used to think that fighting was, not weird, but I’d never straight nose [have a fair fight with] somebody, you know?”

After his talent became clear to his coaches, and awards started following, Edwards found himself being drawn to the allure of MMA. Meanwhile, it was his mother’s approval that pushed him to take his talent to the utmost highest as he shared, “I could see my mum was proud of me, when I was bringing home trophies and that, and that’s what kept me at it.”

Today, as a UFC champion with two title defenses under his belt, Edwards stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of positive influences. Set to defend his crown against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304, the world will be waiting to see what’s the next chapter in ‘Rocky’s already inspiring story.