Leon Edwards tells Rio Ferdinand three things Ian Garry did to get kicked out of his gym ahead of UFC 296

Leon Edwards has explained why Ian Garry was banned from his gym during a conversation with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand.

In October, the 10^th ranked UFC welterweight contender told The Independent he had been barred from Team Renegade due to ‘doubts and insecurities’ his presence was causing.

However, the 170lb champion, who is preparing to defend his belt against former interim titleholder Colby Covington at UFC 296 on December 16, insists that is not the case.

“That wasn’t the reason, that’s the reason he said,” Edwards replied when Ferdinand parroted Garry’s explanation during an interview with .

‘Rocky’ went on to explain that Garry’s way of doing things didn’t mesh with his before providing three examples of behaviour that led to the Irishman's ban.

Edwards added: “There’s a culture in the gym that we are trying to build. I’m a world champion, but I still abide by the same rules as the amateurs.

“The difference with Ian, when he comes in, he’s bringing his camera with him, his girlfriend with him, he’s late to the sessions [and] there’s a lot going on.”

“The coaches and the team decided [to say], ‘We wish you well on your journey but your culture doesn’t fit our culture.’”

Edwards claimed Team Renegade is not the first gym to exile Garry.

He said: “That’s the third gym he’s been kicked out of.

“I think there’s a reason why that [keeps happening].

“It’s not because he’s in my division, there’s a lot of people in the gym in my division.”

Garry will fight on Edwards’ undercard in Las Vegas next weekend.

He’ll face former teammate Vicente Luque at the T-Mobile Arena.

Before that, he’s almost certain to share an awkward reunion with Edwards, whom he hasn’t seen since their training relationship came to an unceremonious end.

UFC security will be on standby in case things get ugly.