LEON EDWARDS had no idea he would fight for the UFC title. His mum forced him to take up mixed martial arts as a desperate attempt to get him off of the streets of Birmingham.
Rocky will be competing for the most coveted prize, 13 years after he was forced into the sport by the wrong crowd.
Brit Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will be competing for the UFC Welterweight title in the early hours of tomorrow morning
Edwards, a Jamaican nine-year-old, came to the UK in order to pursue his studies.
After his father's murder at the age of 13, he took the wrong road.
Edwards' mother (in Blue) helped him to his glory by enrolling at an MMA gym.
Edwards was a natural talent in the sport, and quickly rose through the European ranks.
Brummie, 30 years old, finally has his chance at the welterweight title in Salt Lake City tomorrow morning in the main UFC 278 event against Kamaru Usman.
Edwards isn't afraid of reaching the pinnacle, as he has already survived the streets of Kingston and Jamaica.
SunSport interviewed him: "I believe that my childhood and adulthood have prepared me for this moment.
"It prepared me for pressure and it prepared me to handle everything.
"I am now entering my fourth main event at the UFC. It just feels like another main show to me. It doesn't feel like an actual title fight."
After his father's murder, Edwards was set on a path to crime in Birmingham's Jarvis Road Estate.
He's forever grateful to his mom for saving every penny and scrimping to pay for his gym membership.
He stated that she was doing it to get into trouble.
"She said, "Instead of just sitting on the streets with nothing to do go hang out in the gym and get fit."
Edwards is the Brit's first challenger for UFC gold after Darren Till's failed attempt at the welterweight belt four years ago.
Although the slick southpaw was defeated by Usman seven years back, he insists that revenge is not on his mind.
He said, "It's not about me and my career. It's only about achieving my goals and adding the cherry on top of my life."
It's crazy to be from Jamaica, to emigrate to the UK, and now to fight for the UFC World Championship.
Edwards credits mixed-martial arts with saving his life
Edwards is a shining example for his community, and a role model for his son.
Rocky was unsuccessful in his UFC debut, but he won two consecutive bouts before falling to Usman.
Seven years ago, Edwards was defeated by Usman in a close-fought fight in Florida.
"And all that is for me is to beat him, and become a world champ."
Since Edwards' December 2015 welcome to MMA's highest promotion, Nigerian Nightmare Usman has seen it all.
Edwards believes he has what it takes to be the second champion of the UFC in Britain.
He stated that he was good at what he did, and that he can do basic tasks but does them very well. He wins because of that.
"But for myself, I have it all. I have the striking, grappling, and jiu jitsu. I'm ready."
Usman defends his sixth title amid calls for Canelo Alvarez to fight him in a lucrative cross-over bout and his pursuit of a role as Black Panther's sequel.
Edwards still hasn't experienced defeat since losing to Usman
The Brit-born Jamaican slashed UFC champion Nate Diaz to earn a title shot
Edwards is certain to exact revenge on Usman by claiming UFC's welterweight title
While some may believe that the UFC's pound for pound king might be one step away from the exit, Edwards is not.
Birmingham's pride and joy said, "I'm preparing to get the best and so-called pound for pound that everyone thinks I am."
"It is unfair to think that he might not be doing his runs or training as hard, and if that is the case, it will be unfair to me."
"And I'll feel like, 'Okay. I can take it easily.' I'm getting ready for the so-called No.1 that everybody claims he's.
UFC would be a great way to follow in the footsteps of Michael Bisping, bringing back the title to the UK. Former tearaway Edwards credits UFC with saving his life.
He said, "I have always envisioned coming back with the belt. It would be a wonderful feeling for me, my family, and my friends.
"To have been born in Jamaica in a wooden house with a single room and a living and bedroom in it, and to be now headlining a fight on pay-per view in Utah is madness.
"It would have been fantastic to bring the belt home, and it will be done."
