Yves Edwards

Yves Edwards (born September 30, 1976) is a Bahamian retired mixed martial artist, who is best known for competing in the UFC's Lightweight division, fighting 21 times in the promotion. A professional competitor since 1997, he also competed for PRIDE, the WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, EliteXC, King of the Cage, BodogFIGHT, the MFC, and HDNet Fights. For a period of time, Edwards was ranked as the #1 Lightweight in the world.

Background Edwards was born on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas and moved to Texas when he was 14 years old. Edwards began training in traditional Karate in his youth, moving on to Kung Fu and Ninjutsu 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. He has been quoted as saying "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 17, although "it wasn't as technical as it should have been, but it was better than not getting anything." 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".

Mixed martial arts career

Early career Edwards made his professional mixed martial arts debut in 1997 and compiled a record of 18-5-1 before being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting Edwards made his UFC debut at UFC 33 against Matt Serra and was defeated via unanimous decision. He would then go 6–1 in his next seven appearances under the Zuffa banner.

At UFC 49, Edwards knocked out Josh Thomson by way of a spectacular flying head-kick. Due to the fact that the lightweight division had no current champion at the time, Edwards was regarded as "The Uncrowned Lightweight Champion of the UFC."

Post-UFC After two wins in the EliteXC promotion, Edwards lost to EliteXC 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 next 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 against John Gunderson on September 15, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 22, replacing Efraín Escudero who was promoted to the main card. Edwards 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 an overhand left 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 the fight via unanimous decision in a back and forth fight.

Edwards was expected to face Donald Cerrone at UFC on Fuel TV: The Korean Zombie vs. Poirier on May 15, 2012. However, Edwards was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Jeremy Stephens.

Edwards was expected to face Jeremy Stephens on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. However, the bout was cancelled due to Stephens being arrested on the day of the event for an assault charge that dated back to 2011. The fight eventually took place on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. Edwards won by knockout in the first round, being the first fighter to ever stop Stephens via strikes.

Edwards faced promotional newcomer Isaac Vallie-Flagg on February 2, 2013, at UFC 156. He lost the fight via split decision.

Edwards was expected to face Spencer Fisher on July 27, 2013, at UFC on Fox 8. However, on July 11, Fisher was removed from the bout due to injury and replaced by Daron Cruickshank. He lost a split decision.

Edwards made his nineteenth UFC appearance when he took on Yancy Medeiros at UFC Fight For The Troops 3 on November 6, 2013. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. The loss, however, was subsequently overturned to a no contest when Medeiros tested positive for marijuana.

Edwards was expected to face Piotr Hallmann at UFC 173 on May 24, 2014. However, the bout was moved and took place on June 7, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 42 instead. Edwards lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

Edwards faced Akbarh Arreola on November 22, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 57. He lost the fight via armbar submission in the first round.

Retirement Following the loss, Edwards announced his official retirement from mixed martial arts, closing out his career after seventeen years. Edwards said on Facebook "Fighting has been a part of my life ever since I was 17 and that makes this a hard pill to swallow but it's time for me to end this chapter and move on to the next part of my life." Edwards is the only mixed martial arts fighter that competed for UFC, PRIDE, WEC, Strikeforce and Bellator.

Professional grappling career Edwards competed against Joshua Sharpless at Submission Hunter Pro 84 on July 22, 2023, losing by unanimous decision.

Fighting style Thugjitsu The term "Thugjitsu" first emerged with Edwards, its proclaimed founder. Edwards was seen by many as an unorthodox fighter. This was exemplified by Edwards's flying head kick KO of Josh Thomson at UFC 49. Edwards's fighting style led to his nickname "Thugjitsu Master".

Edwards defined Thugjitsu as "The combination of every range of fighting and is the ultimate combat sport. Boxing, Thaiboxing, Wrestling and BJJ all play an equally important role in Thugjitsu; yet none of these arts is enough to be successful alone. A solid combination of two, three or more these and other arts help in the make-up of the complete fighter."

UFC Lightweight Dustin Poirier proclaimed himself to be a Thugjitsu practitioner in honor of Edwards.

Influences Edwards has stated that UFC Hall of Famer Bas Rutten is his idol. Bas Rutten watched Edwards's third pro-MMA fight in 1998, in which Edwards defeated Tim Horton in the first round via TKO. Edwards was invited by Rutten to spend time with him in his car. "Bas is always an awesome guy," said Edwards, "He's cool as hell. One of the nicest guys in the game."

Personal life Edwards has a daughter and a son. HOOKnSHOOT HnS Middleweight Championship (One time) MMA Fighting 2004 Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Akbarh Arreola Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Swanson

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Piotr Hallmann Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States NC

Yancy Medeiros No Contest (overturned) UFC: Fight for the Troops 3

Fort Campbell, Kentucky, United States Loss

Daron Cruickshank Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga

Seattle, Washington, United States Loss

Isaac Vallie-Flagg Decision (split) UFC 156

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jeremy Stephens KO (punches and elbows) UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz

Seattle, Washington, United States Loss

Tony Ferguson Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rafaello Oliveira TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Live: Cruz vs. Johnson

Washington, D.C., United States Loss

Sam Stout KO (punch) UFC 131

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win

Cody McKenzie Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC: Fight for the Troops 2

Fort Hood, Texas, United States Win

John Gunderson Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Luis Palomino Decision (unanimous) Bellator 24

Hollywood, Florida, United States Loss

Mike Campbell Decision (unanimous) Moosin: God of Martial Arts

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States Win

Derrick Noble TKO (punches) MFC 24

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Win

Kyle Jensen TKO (punches) Raging Wolf 5

Niagara Falls, New York, United States Win

James Warfield Submission (triangle choke) Shine Fights 2: American Top Team vs. The World

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Duane Ludwig Decision (unanimous) Strikeforce: Destruction

San Jose, California, United States Loss

K. J. Noons TKO (punches and elbows) EliteXC: Return of the King

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

James Edson Berto KO (flying knee) EliteXC: Street Certified

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Alonzo Martinez Submission (rear-naked choke) HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Nick Gonzalez Submission (rear-naked choke) EliteXC: Renegade

Corpus Christi, Texas, United States Loss

Jorge Masvidal KO (head kick) BodogFIGHT: Alvarez vs. Lee

Trenton, New Jersey, United States Loss

Mike Brown Decision (unanimous) BodogFIGHT: St Petersburg

St. Petersburg, Russia Loss

Joe Stevenson TKO (doctor stoppage) UFC 61: Bitter Rivals

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Seichi Ikemoto Decision (unanimous) Pride - Bushido 10

Tokyo, Japan Loss

Mark Hominick Submission (triangle armbar) UFC 58: USA vs. Canada

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Joachim Hansen Decision (split) PRIDE Bushido 9

Tokyo, Japan Win

Dokonjonosuke Mishima Submission (armbar) PRIDE Bushido 7

Tokyo, Japan Win

Hermes França Decision (split) Euphoria: USA vs. World

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Naoyuki Kotani TKO (head kick and punches) Euphoria: Road to the Titles

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Josh Thomson KO (flying head kick and punches) UFC 49

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Hermes Franca Decision (split) UFC 47

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Deshaun Johnson Decision (unanimous) WEC 9

Lemoore, California, United States Win

Nick Agallar TKO (punches) UFC 45

Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Loss

Tatsuya Kawajiri Decision (unanimous) Shooto - 8/10 in Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium

Yokohama, Japan Win

Eddie Ruiz Decision (unanimous) UFC 43

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Rich Clementi Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 41

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Kohei Yasumi KO (punch) HOOKnSHOOT: New Wind

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Joao Marcos Pierini TKO (injury) UFC 37.5

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Caol Uno Decision (unanimous) UFC 37

Bossier City, Louisiana, United States Win

Kultar Gill Submission (heel hook) Shogun 1

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Loss

Matt Serra Decision (majority) UFC 33

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Aaron Riley Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown

Evansville, Indiana, United States Draw

C.J. Fernandes Draw HOOKnSHOOT: Masters

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Jeff Lindsay KO (kick) Renegades Extreme Fighting

Texas, United States Win

Bone Sayavonga Submission (rear-naked choke) Renegades Extreme Fighting

Texas, United States Loss

Jeremy Williams Decision (split) KOTC 7: Wet and Wild

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

David Harris Submission (armbar) Bushido 1

Tempe, Arizona, United States Win

Scott Bills TKO (punches) HOOKnSHOOT: Fusion

Evansville, Indiana, United States Win

Danny Bennett Submission (rear-naked choke) KOTC 5: Cage Wars

San Jacinto, California, United States Win

Pete Spratt Submission (triangle choke) Renegades Extreme Fighting

Texas, United States Win

Cedric Marks Submission (armbar) Extreme Shootout

Texas, United States Win

Andy Mockler TKO (punches) HOOKnSHOOT: Meltdown

Evansville, Indiana, United States Loss

Rumina Sato Submission (rear-naked choke) SuperBrawl 17

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Win

Stacy Coughlin TKO (punches) Armageddon 2

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Aaron Riley Decision (unanimous) HOOKnSHOOT: Texas Heat

Texas, United States Win

Shannon Ritch Submission (rear-naked choke) Armageddon 1

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Nate Marquardt Submission (heel hook) Bas Rutten Invitational 4

United States Win

Anthony Holiday TKO (submission to knees) Extreme Shootout

McAllen, Texas, United States Win

Thomas Denny Submission (verbal) West Coast NHB Championships 2

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Louie Cercedez TKO (doctor stoppage) West Coast NHB Championships 1

Los Angeles, California, United States Loss

Fabiano Iha Submission (armbar) Extreme Challenge 22

West Valley City, Utah, United States Win

Raphael Perlungher Submission (rear-naked choke) Power Ring Warriors

Humble, Texas, United States Win

Tim Horton TKO (punches) World Shoot Wrestling

Pasadena, Texas, United States Loss

Joe Hurley Decision (unanimous) World Pankration Championships 2

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Todd Justice Submission (rear-naked choke) World Pankration Championships 1

Texas, United States