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Yves Edwards Bio
Yves Ed'duvill Edwards (born September 30, 1976) is a Bahamian American professional mixed martial artist. He is known for his fights as a lightweight in organizations such as the UFC, PRIDE, WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator and EliteXC. Edwards is known among fighters and all organizations as the "Uncrowned Champion of the Lightweight Division."
Background
Edwards was born on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas, moving to Houston, Texas when he was 15 years old.
Martial arts background and training
Edwards began training in traditional karate in his youth, moving on to kung fu before eventually taking up mixed martial arts. This also led him to Muay Thai in order to improve his stand-up.
Like many aspiring martial artists, Edwards cites Hong Kong cinema as a formative influence:
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- "I've always liked the old Hong Kong flicks, and I was a big comic book fan: you know the superheroes, they were always big in my mind. Anything that will make me physically better than the average person, and teach me to do things that the average person can't do, I was game for it."
Based in Houston since his teens, Edwards says he learned some grappling on a trip back home to the Bahamas at the age of seventeen, although "it wasn't as technical as it should have been, but it was better than not getting anything."
He is a well-rounded fighter, with a strong boxing background, having also trained with Lewis Wood, a #6 WBA featherweight boxer. This is in addition to his experience in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, of which he says "I've never worn a gi 'cause I've always been competing".
At UFC 49, Edwards knocked out Josh Thomson by way of a spectacular flying head-kick. After the fight, commentator Mike Goldberg announced: "I will say right now, this kick has replaced Pete Williams on Mark Coleman as the greatest head kick knockout in UFC history."
Yves Edwards is now training with American Top Team and is focused on getting back to the top of the 155 pound division.
Yves lost to Elite-XC Lightweight champion K.J. Noons via KO in the first round in June 2008, and lost a unanimous decision to Duane Ludwig at Strikeforce: Destruction.
He rebounded with a submission victory against James Warfield in September 2009, and most recently defeated Kyle Jensen by way of TKO in the first round. Yves followed up that victory the following February with an impressive quick TKO of fellow UFC veteran Derrick Noble.
Return to the UFC
Edwards returned to the UFC in his first fight there in over four years against John Gunderson on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22. He won the fight via unanimous decision.
Edwards was expected to face Melvin Guillard on January 22, 2011, at UFC Fight Night 23, but Guillard was promoted to the main event against Evan Dunham after Kenny Florian was forced off the card with an injury. Edwards then faced replacement Cody McKenzie on the card, and won via rear naked choke in the second round earning Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night honors.
Edwards fought Sam Stout on June 11, 2011 at UFC 131 and was knocked out by a left hook at 3:52 of the first round.
Edwards defeated Rafaello Oliveira via second round TKO on October 1, 2011 at UFC on Versus 6.
Edwards faced Tony Ferguson on December 3, 2011 at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale. Edwards lost a unanimous decision to Ferguson in a back and forth fight.
Edwards was expected to face Donald Cerrone at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier on May 15, 2012. However, Edwards was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Jeremy Stephens.
Personal life
Edwards has a daughter named Destiny and a son named Yvan.
Mixed martial arts record
External links
- Professional MMA record for Yves Edwards from Sherdog
- Yves Edward's Official Site
- Official UFC Profile
- Revolution Dojo
MMA Shirts
