Reputation and image are half the fight in UFC, both inside and outside of the octagon. Inside, the only tools available to a fighter are their fists, feet and body, dominating their opponent through physicality. Outside the octagon though, it’s all about the drip, with the most important status symbol being your watch. Previously, Connor McGregor was the undisputed king of MMA horology, but following last week’s welterweight Championship bout against Kamaru Usman, Leon “Rocky” Edwards has put his name on the watch world map with his new Rolex Sky Dweller.
Leon Edwards showing off his Rolex Sky-Dweller before his fight with Kamaru Usman at UFC 278, image credit: Instagram.
As seen on his Instagram page @leonedwardsmma, the Sky Dweller is a real watch collector’s Rolex. It doesn’t have the same name recognition as the Submariner or Daytona but arguably it should have. Its fluted bezel and jubilee bracelet are quintessential Rolex while the layout of the second time zone indicator around the centre of the dial is one of the most unique takes on a GMT function around.
Rolex Sky-Dweller 2022, RRP £12,250.
Edwards procured his Sky Dweller in the run up to his championship fight against Usman last weekend. The watch reportedly cost the British-Jamaican fighter £25,000, up from Rolex’s listed price of £12,400. Edwards was very much the underdog against the reigning champion Usman, but a surprise KO by way of a swift kick to Usman’s head resulted in a new champion being crowned. Posing with the belt after the event, there was only one watch that was appropriate for Leon to wear, his new Rolex.
However, that’s not the only Rolex that people were talking about at the event. The legendary rapper Drake has been known to drop large sums of money on UFC fights and the Edwards v Usman fight was no different. Only a few weeks ago Drake won around $1.3 million from a handful of successful bets, after which he promised each of the winning fighters a Rolex (no one knows if he delivered).
Leon Edwards wearing his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, image credit: Instagram (@leonedwardsmma).
The twist for the Edwards bout is that Drake was betting against Edwards, meaning he lost $200,000 on the fight. Upon hearing the news, Edwards called him out and asked for a Rolex as well adding salt to the wound. Perhaps Drake will deliver and we’ll soon see a new Rolex on Leon’s wrist, maybe even another Sky Dweller.
Of course, while the Rolex Sky Dweller is Edward’s watch of the moment, he has an extensive collection of watches. There are several timepieces that you’d expect from a UFC personality, such as an iced out Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but there are also some less conventional watches too. Specifically, the Uniform Wares M42 PreciDrive Chronograph in black PVD, although it’s a lot less surprising when you learn that Edwards is an ambassador for Uniform Wares. Our advice to him, stick to the Rolex Sky Dweller.
