Who Is Dave Lovell, Leon Edwards’ Coach: All About the UFC Champ’s Gym, Training Partners and More

The person behind a fighter’s success is often the one who trains and coaches them. Needless to say, the same is true for the UFC welterweight champion, Leon Edwards. Team Renegade and coach Dave Lovell have played a massive role in the development of the Champion. With his teammates’ support from all around Birmingham, ‘Rocky’ ensured to win 22 of his 25 fights in the world of mixed martial arts. 

Did you know that Ian Garry was once a part of Lovell’s gym? Well, that’s a story for another time. Today, let’s look closely at the team working behind Rocky.

Where does Leon Edwards train? Gym, teammates, and coach Dave Lovell

Coach Dave Lovell and Edwards go a long way back. The current champion holds Lovell in the light of a father figure, who helped him through a tough childhood. Lovell is known to be a harsh taskmaster and closely monitors everything Rocky does. The 32-year-old not only has a great coach but also a great team behind him. He currently trains at the Team Renegade MMA and has taken his game to the next level. 

Team Renegade MMA initially started as a Jiu-Jitsu gym but later became an MMA gym after Leon Edwards UTC gym was closed in 2018. The Jamaican and his team member, Tom Breeze, have been working hard to get the best fighters from Birmingham into their gym. Fighting against the best in the business has helped them improve their game as well.

While Edwards has already won a UFC gold and defended it twice, next in line is his brother Fabian, who is on the cusp of getting a middleweight shot at Bellator. Another of his teammates, Arnold Allen, is also eyeing a UFC featherweight gold bid. While Edwards is training under the watchful eyes of David Lovell, his next opponent will be a challenge for the Jamaican. 

While the coaches need to motivate their students with inspirational words, Lovell had a different strategy for doing so. This was highlighted back when ‘Rocky’ was competing for the welterweight belt at UFC 278. Let’s see what the coach said during the match.

What did Leon Edwards’ corner say to him? The inspirational monologue at UFC 278

UFC 278 turned out to be the turning point for Leon Edward’s career. The Jamaican shocked many after he knocked out Kamaru Usman in the fifth round after completely getting dominated in the fight. Some believe Coach Lovell’s inspirational speech helped him turn things around in the final round, and Edwards was able to land the head kick, which put Usman to sleep.

What were the coach’s words? Well, it was nothing like the advice and plans that other corners often shout. Instead, Lovell decided to give the welterweight champ one final push. He shouted, “You’ve got to stop feeling sorry for your f**king self. Come on then, what’s wrong with you?! Come on Leon, you got this man.”

Following the events of UFC 278, the welterweight champion defended his title against Usman and then Colby Covington. Now, he is all set to land against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. The last time when the duo fought, ‘Remember The Name’ suffered a nasty wound as ‘Rocky’ accidentally poked his middle finger in his opponent’s right eye’s lower cul de sac. But things might just be different this time. It would indeed be the third time ‘Rocky’ would defend his title.  With the Welterweight Title on the line, will Edwards be able to bring out his best game? Let us know in the comments below.