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BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
When Edwards faced wrong opponent - and won in four seconds
Fabian Edwards leans back in his chair and laughs when he thinks of his very first fight as an amateur in 2015."I'm in the back getting warmed up and I'm told my opponent is on the motorway, he's on his way," Edwards tells BBC Sport."When the time comes for me to make the walk, I got in the cage and I'm like, 'Who's this'? There's a random person in the cage - a completely different person."Edwards says the opponent he was scheduled to fight that evening in his hometown, Birmingham, did not show up so the promoters found a replacement on the only found out when he stepped in the cage and was faced with someone he did not recognise."I looked at my team and they were like, 'Just carry on'. We touched gloves and unfortunately for him it was over in four seconds," added Edwards."That's probably my craziest fight story." Edwards' story is not too dissimilar to the bedlam and confusion other fighters have experienced at amateur level in are often fought for little to no prize money, with fighters aiming to gain experience and gauge whether they could succeed as a Thursday in Hollywood, Florida, Edwards' amateur career will feel like a lifetime ago when he faces American Dalton Rosta in the final of the PFL's annual middleweight tournament. The winner will receive a $500,000 (£369,000) prize. "I'm not sat here thinking about the money. More so the opportunity is big," said Edwards, 32."Since the tournament started, I said I'm going to win it. Everything I said I was going to do, I've done in this tournament. I said I'm going to stop Dalton and that's what I truly believe." 'I thought my career would be all highs' Edwards is looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Briton Alfie Davis, who won the PFL's lightweight tournament last the contest not yielding an official world title, Edwards says he is treating it like a championship has suffered defeat twice before by Johnny Eblen for the Bellator middleweight title in 2023 and 2024, but has rebuilt himself this year with two successive laughs jovially when asked if he knew a career in MMA would bring so many highs and lows."I thought it would be all highs, especially when I was undefeated for six years or so," he says."But I've suffered a few losses now and I understand it's the game. Even the greats have losses, most of them, so if they can go through it and still go on to become greats and champions, then why can't we?"Should Edwards have beaten Eblen in 2023, he would have joined his older brother Leon Edwards, who at the time held the UFC's welterweight belt, as a world champion. Edwards' defeat was followed by Leon, 33, losing his title to Belal Muhammad the following year - losses which challenged morale at their gym in Birmingham."It did affect it a bit but at the same time, the guys understand it's the game," said Edwards."What it does show the guys in the gym is I've suffered big defeats and I've come back. "And Leon as well – he's back in the gym, he's coaching the guys, he's not hidden away somewhere. It's showing the guys that life moves on."Edwards can sum up how he has learned to bounce back from defeats with one word: "Gratitude.""If I lose a massive fight, I look at my overall life and it's great – I've got healthy kids, my family is healthy and I've got a lovely home," said Edwards."Life isn't over after defeat. I think, 'This stings, it really does', but my life is alright and I can go again - and that's what I've proved."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Gossip: Leeds near deal for Okafor
Leeds are close to reaching an agreement with AC Milan for Switzerland forward Noah Okafor, 25, with the fee set to be in the region of £17.2m (20m euros). (Florian Plettenberg, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
CNA
08-08-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Woakes may opt for rehab over surgery in race to be fit for Ashes
England all-rounder Chris Woakes said rehabilitation is a risk he is willing to take to be fit for the Ashes rather than undergoing surgery on the shoulder injury he sustained during last week's fifth test loss to India. The 36-year-old Woakes is awaiting scan results after suffering a suspected dislocated shoulder on the opening day of the see-saw test at The Oval when he landed awkwardly trying to save a boundary. Judging by the extent of the damage his options would be either surgery or rehabilitation to strengthen the shoulder. The first Ashes test begins in Perth on November 21. "I suppose... there will be a chance of a re-occurrence, but that could be a risk that you're just willing to take," Woakes told BBC Sport on Friday. "From what I've heard from physios and specialists is that the rehab of a surgery option would be closer to three to four months. That's obviously touching on the Ashes and Australia so it makes it tricky. "From a rehab point of view you can probably get it strong again within eight weeks. So that could be an option, but again obviously still waiting to get the full report on it." Although ruled out of the remainder of the fifth test, he returned to bat on the final morning with his left arm strapped in a sling as England pushed for a series win. Woakes entered at number 11 with 17 runs still needed, he did not face a ball but ran four before Gus Atkinson was bowled, leaving India to seal a six-run victory to level the series 2-2 on Monday. Woakes received praise for his bravery, though he downplayed it by saying anyone else in the dressing room would have done the same. "In my eyes it was just business as usual... in that moment it was to go out there and try and find a way with Gus at the other end to try and get us over the line," he added.
