UFC Champ Leon Edwards Clears the Air on Ian Garry Being Kicked out of His Gym

Leon Edwards settles the debate.

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has given more insight into why Ian Garry was kicked from Team Renegade. 

Paddy Pimblett: UFC Champ Leon Edwards Knocked Out Ian Garry in Training

"Rocky" highlighted that Garry's lack of contribution to the team's culture was one of several deciding factors:

"There's a culture in the gym that we're trying to build," Leon told TNT Sports. "Even though I'm a world champion, I still abide by the same rules as an amateur.

"The difference with Ian [Garry] is that when he comes in, he brings his cameras with him, his girlfriend with him - he's late to the sessions. There's a lot going on now so the coaches and the team decided that - 'We wish you well, on your journey, but your culture doesn't fit our culture...'"

Edwards clarified that Garry's presence in the UFC welterweight division was not a factor, as he himself trains alongside numerous welterweights at Renegade; it was the team culture which saw Garry off:

"Once one starts slipping [with the culture]," Edwards elaborated. "Then you think 'Okay, if he can do it I can do it, and if he ain't cleaning the mats, I ain't cleaning the mats.' Eventually, it breaks the team down."

It's been a tough few weeks for the Garry brand, as numerous fighters and countless fans have slandered the Irish fighter for his relationship with his wife.

Brendan Schaub Criticizes Sean Strickland & Ian Garry Amid Personal Beef

On top of everything else are the allegations that Edwards knocked out Garry in sparring. These rumors were perpetuated by fighters like Paddy Pimblett:

"Leon's already knocked him out in training so we don't need to know about that [Garry vs. Edwards in the UFC]," Pimblett told Sky Sports.

Garry himself partially confirmed the story:

"We went to hospital this morning because for the past two days I’ve been in excruciating pain - shooting up from my face to my teeth," Garry jested on Instagram. "...Anyone watch the Leon Edwards [vs. Kamaru] Usman fight? Anyone know how that went? One of the best head kicks in the UFC --- Yeah, I might have felt what that kick felt like..."

Garry will have the opportunity to set up an Edwards fight if both fighters win their bouts at UFC 296 on December 16.

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook.