UFC champion Leon Edwards clears the air and reveals why fellow welterweight fighter Ian Machado Garry had to leave his gym.

Edwards, who defends his title at UFC 296 against Colby Covington, has trained with Garry in Birmingham and could well fight him in the future given the 26-year-old's rapid rise. 

Machado Garry revealed last month that he was cast out of Edwards' gym, Team Renegade. He had claimed it was because Edwards and his coach felt threatened by him training there, but Team Renegade rubbished this accusation.

'Sometimes the coaches allow fighters to come in from the outside, but this is very much a privilege and not the norm. If the coaches feel it's not adding to the team's culture, a fighter is refused entrance. Ian Garry's more nomadic approach to preparation has given him great results, but it's not in line with what we are creating at Team Renegade,' they told the Independent.

In a TNT Sports interview with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, 'Rocky' reveals why Machado Garry had to leave his gym.

Edwards echoes Team Renegade's official statement on the matter, saying: '[Him being in the same division] wasn't the reason; that's the reason he said.

'The culture in the gym that we're trying to build... Even though I'm a world champion, I still abide by the same rules as the amateurs. The difference with Ian was that, when he came in, he'd bring his camera with him and bring his girlfriend [wife] with him. He was late to the sessions.

'There was a lot going on, so the coaches and the team decided: 'We wish you well on your journey, but your culture doesn't fit our culture.' That's the third gym now that he's been kicked out of. There's a reason why.

'Once one [person] starts slipping, you feel: 'Okay, if he can do it, I can do it. If he ain't cleaning the mats, then I ain't cleaning the mats.' Eventually it breaks the team down.' 

Garry has recently spoke about no longer being allowed to train at Team Renegade. He told the Independent: 'Leon Edwards, his head coach asked me not to come back to Renegade; told me I'm not allowed to train there.

'Leon and his head coach had an issue with me training on the mats and recently have asked me not to train there, because, "Leon doesn't want any insecurities or doubts on his own mats, within the gym," which I don't fully understand.

'I get that we're both in the top 10 and you might see me as a threat, but I'm not a threat to you right now; I'm not fighting for the title right now.

'His coach said the words: 'Ian is a threat, I cannot have Leon having any doubts or insecurities.'

As alluded to, Edwards is scheduled to face divisive welterweight challenger Colby  Covington - which is set to headline UFC 296. 

'Rocky' comes into the epic clash off the back of a win against Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 back in March.

The 32-year-old reveals he is looking forward to silencing his doubters in Las Vegas against 'Chaos.'

'Everyone is saying [to be wary of] his cardio and that he can keep the pace for the full fight, but I believe they're judging that on fights where he's fought over-the-hill guys like Robbie Lawler, Jorge Masvidal, Tyron Woodley. In sports it's old,' he said.

'I'm excited to go out there and shut him up. He's a good talker so I'm going to go out there, shut him up and continue my reign.' 

As for Machado Garry, the No 10 ranked welterweight contender takes on Vicente Luque on the final card of the year in Las Vegas on December 16.

Victory would put him in the upper echelons of the division where a showdown with Edwards for the title would be a realistic possibility.