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In 2004, when Leon Edwards
was just 13, his father, Rufus Edwards, was tragically murdered in a nightclub shooting in Croydon, South London. The UFC star turns 34 this year, the same age his father died.
This event had a profound impact on Leon’s life, influencing his journey from a troubled youth to becoming a UFC welterweight champion.
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Rufus Edwards Was In A Nightclub When He Was Killed
The Night of the Tragedy
On October 2, 2004, Rufus Edwards (photo) was at the Spotlight nightclub in West Croydon. Witnesses later testified that Rufus had given £25,000 to a man named “Chippie” to purchase a kilogram of cocaine. A dispute arose when Rufus demanded his money back due to the poor quality of the cocaine.
That night, Rufus, accompanied by friends Wayne Douglas and Mikey, went to the Spotlight club. Panic ensued on the dance floor when shots were fired, resulting in Rufus being fatally wounded and security coordinator Mark Warmington being shot at the front door. Douglas described seeing Rufus lying flat on the floor, with blood coming from his back to his shoulder.
Aftermath And Legal Proceedings
The investigation led to nine men being charged in connection with the shootings. However, six were cleared, and the remaining three were acquitted. Among them, Michael Lindo, 25, of Clapham, South London, was acquitted of murdering Mr. Warmington, plotting to kill Mr. Edwards, and conspiring to commit murders in Bristol and Croydon. Derrick Mason, 34, from Brixton, South London, and Michael Nettleford, 30, from Croydon, South London, were also cleared of plotting to kill Mr. Edwards.
Impact on Leon Edwards
The UFC Star Was Involved In The Streets
The murder of his father had a profound effect on Leon Edwards. Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, and later moving to Birmingham, England, Leon was exposed to crime from a young age. He recalled that in Jamaica, “killing seemed normal. We were used to gunshots and death all around us.”
After his father’s death, Leon found himself drawn into gang life in Birmingham. He admitted that his goal in life was to be like his dad—the biggest gangster. However, his mother played a pivotal role in steering him away from this path by encouraging him to join an MMA club at the age of 17. Leon credits mixed martial arts with saving his life, stating that without it, he would “either be in jail or dead.”
Leon Edwards began his professional fighting career in 2010. He quickly made a name for himself in the UK MMA scene, eventually signing with the UFC. His journey to the top was marked by perseverance and dedication. In August 2022, he achieved a career-defining moment by knocking out Kamaru Usman to become the UFC welterweight champion. Reflecting on his journey to UFC stardorm, Leon said, “I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wooden shed with a zinc roof. Look at me now!”
In December 2023, during the lead-up to UFC 296, Leon Edwards faced Colby Covington. At the pre-fight press conference, Covington made controversial remarks about Leon’s late father, suggesting they would “say ‘what’s up’ to your dad while we’re there.” This comment led to a heated exchange, with Leon throwing a water bottle at Covington. Leon later expressed that the fight was very emotional for him, stating that Covington “used my dad’s murder as entertainment.”