Leon Edwards is becoming a massive star in the U.K., which is why the UFC welterweight champion was brought out onto the field at half time of the Aston Villa F.C. game this Saturday in Birmingham, England.
Edwards is coming off another successful UFC title defense by handily defeating Colby Covington at UFC 296 earlier this month. The victory extended Edwards’ unbeaten streak to 13-straight fights. This fight opposite “Chaos” was an emotional one given the things Covington said before and after the bout, but Edwards escaped with his belt in hand and looks poised for an even bigger breakout in 2024.
On Saturday, Edwards was brought onto the field during half time of the Aston Villa F.C. game. “Rocky” is a native of Birmingham and received a pretty sizeable applause. After all, Edwards is the only active English UFC champion and a real class act when it comes to today’s MMA standards.
Check out the halftime moment below along with some additional behind-the-scenes action:
Welterweight champion Leon Edwards was brought out at half time at his hometown club @AVFCOfficial today pic.twitter.com/ihN0TqSE2R
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 30, 2023
.@AVFCOfficial players posing with Leon Edwards and his UFC welterweight championship today pic.twitter.com/MZ75QqWnNd
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 30, 2023
Birmingham’s own
@Leon_edwardsmma pic.twitter.com/Cdwg7mNf4L
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 30, 2023
Great day again at the Villa ?? needed that ? last minute winner and a warm welcome for the real SPOTY winner Leon Edwards making memories with the boy pic.twitter.com/ubEAP7nG4y
— Dave Deeney (@DaveDeeney11) December 30, 2023
Edwards, 32, will have his hands full next year as the UFC’s welterweight division is shaping up to be a murderer’s row. “Rocky” will put his unbeaten streak to the test against the likes of Shavkat Rakhmonov, Belal Muhammad, and maybe even a fourth fight against former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.