LEON EDWARDS is a completely different man from the one who fought Kamaru Usman as a young upstart.
Britain’s second UFC champion will renew his rivalry with the sport’s former pound-for-pound king tomorrow night in the main event of UFC 286 in London.
Edwards’ first title defence will bring about the end of his series with the Nigerian-American, which began nearly eight years ago in Orlando.
The Brummie was outmuscled and outwrestled by Ultimate Fighter season 21 winner Usman in their first clash.
But he’s packed on the beef since their first meeting, which seems like a distant memory.
Thousands of hours of gruelling strength and conditioning training, in conjunction with an on-point diet, have transformed Edwards into a bulkier but leaner and meaner wrecking machine.
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The 31-year-old's physique is almost recognizable from the one he first fought with.
Edwards now sports an incredibly ripped six-pack year-round, which pops out even more when he’s preparing for a fight.
His torso and arms are also drastically thicker than they were in the early days of his career.
The Jamaican-born Brit’s incredible transformation is the fruit of his hard training with renowned strength and conditioning coach Jamie Reynolds.
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Reynolds is well known in the fight game and trains several mixed martial artists and boxers.
He’s perhaps best known for being the trainer of former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, whose physique he’s helped whittle down and bulk up throughout the years.
And he currently helps keep Manchester United and England hitman Marcus Rashford in prime condition.
He even helps Rashford's England team-mate Jack Grealish stay in tip-top shape.
Edwards, 31, will bid to register only Britain’s second defence of a UFC title when he throws down with Usman in their trilogy.
Rocky wrote himself into the history books last August with a stunning Hail Mary head kick KO in the dying embers of their rematch in Salt Lake City.
And he’s adamant the belt won’t be leaving British soil.
When asked if retaining the belt in front of his loved ones will top winning told SunSport, he said: "It will be hard to top that moment.
"The speech, everything was perfect in that moment. For me, going into my headline at the O2.
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"For me, it's just about settling the score and cementing what happened in Salt Lake City and carrying on with my career.
"I truly believe now is my time and I've got to go and prove that."
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