Underrated Fighter Showcase #18: Yves Edwards
“The Thugjitsu Master”
Yves Edwards (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. Today I will be showcasing most of his MMA Career Wins.
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MMA Debut: Edwards(0-0) vs Todd Justice(0-1)
World Pankration Championships 1
Edwards showcased his grappling skills early, controlling the pace before taking Justice’s back and securing a RNC in the 1st.
Edwards(1-1) vs Tim Horton(0-0)
World Shoot Wrestling 1
Edwards dominated with superior striking eventually forcing the bigger opponent to verbal quit after some hard low kicks.
Edwards(7-3) vs Aaron Riley(11-1-1)
HOOKnSHOOT: Texas Heat
In a nonstop paced fight, Edwards and Riley traded knees standing and grappled frequently. After 20 minutes of continuous action, Edwards was awarded the decision.
Edwards(12-4) vs Danny Bennett(2-5)
King Of The Cage: Cage Wars
Edwards controlled the grappling early, working quickly into dominant position. He secured Bennett’s back, mounted effective offense, and locked in a RNC just over three minutes into the opening round.
Edwards(13-4) vs Scott Bills(4-4-1)
HOOKnSHOOT: Fusion
A straightforward dominant grappling performance, putting Bills on his back and landing GnP shots from mount to get stoppage in the 1st.
Edwards(17-5-1) vs Aaron Riley(16-3-1) II
HOOKnSHOOT: Showdown
In a fiercely contested rematch, where Edwards showcased striking dominance and resilience, besting Riley over 3 rounds to secure the decision victory.
UFC Debut: Edwards(19-7-1) vs João Marcos Pierini(4-0)
UFC 37.5: As Real As It Gets
A quick start by Yves Edwards that culminated in a quick finish when Pierini was forced to stop due to a shoulder injury following Edwards’s high kick and follow up strikes.
Edwards(20-7-1) vs Kohei Yasumi(5-1-2)
HOOKnSHOOT: New Wind
Less than ninety seconds into the bout, Edwards landed a decisive punch that knocked Yasumi out cold, earning a quick highlight reel finish.
Edwards(21-7-1) vs Rich Clementi(13-6)
UFC 41: Onslaught
Edwards delivered a complete performance, combining effective striking with grappling to secure a 3rd round RNC.
Edwards(22-7-1) vs Eddie Ruiz(1-0)
UFC 43: Meltdown
Edwards controlled the fight with effective striking and superior grappling. Despite Ruiz’s efforts, Edwards maintained octagon control and landed cleaner shots, earning a clear decision victory.
Edwards(23-8-1) vs Nick Agallar(11-2)
UFC 45: Revolution
Edwards put on a dominant striking display against Nick Agallar, dropping him with a perfectly timed Superman punch and swarming him for the TKO in the 2nd.
Edwards(24-8-1) vs Deshaun Johnson(5-5)
WEC 9: Cold Blooded
Very dominant performance as Johnson was badly fatigued after the 1st and was just a punching bag for Edwards for the rest of the fight. Giving Edwards a dominant decision victory.
Edwards(25-8-1) vs Hermes França(8-1)
UFC 47: It’s On!
Edwards edged Hermes França in a high-action, tightly contested bout through sharp striking, defensive grappling, and clinch control to earn a split-decision.
Edwards(26-8-1) vs Josh Thomson(8-0)
UFC 49: Unfinished Business
Edwards delivered one of MMA’s most memorable finishes landing a spectacular flying head kick that knocked down bad and put him out with a barrage of shots late in the 1st.
Edwards(27-8-1) vs Naoyuki Kotani(14-2-2)
Euphoria 2: The Road To The Titles
Edwards dispatches Kotani in the 1st, landing a flush head kick that drops Kotani bad and follows up with GnP forcing the ref to stop the fight.
Edwards(28-8-1) vs Hermes França(10-2) II Euphoria 3:
USA vs The World
The rematch delivered even more intensity, França opened strong, but Edwards demonstrated resilience, technical striking, and sharp defense to swing the battle back in the 2nd and 3rd for the split decision.
PRIDE Debut: Edwards(29-8-1) vs Dokonjonosuke Mishima(16-3-2)
Pride Bushido 7
Edwards controlled early grappling exchanges against Mishima and secured a slick armbar after threatening with a Kimura to get the tap in the 1st.
Edwards(30-10-1) vs Seichi Ikemoto(13-12-4)
Pride Bushido 10
Edwards dominated utilizing sharp punches, knees, and leg kicks while nullifying Ikemoto’s offense. After two rounds of control and precision, Edwards earned a unanimous decision victory.
Edwards(31-13-1) vs Nick Gonzalez(13-5)
EliteXC: Renegade
Edwards dominated early with a smart takedown setup and mat control, then locked in a RNC in just over three minutes for the quick 1st round finish.
Edwards(32-13-1) vs Alonzo Martinez(20-10)
HDNet Fights: Reckless Abandon
After a close opening round, Edwards rallied in Round 2 dropping Martinez, controlling the grappling, and locking in a RNC for the tap in the 2nd.
Edwards(33-13-1) vs James Edson Berto(14-4-1)
EliteXC: Street Certified
Edwards showcased elite athleticism, putting berto OUT COLD with a brutal knee as he was defending Berto’s takedown. This knockout is widely regarded as one of the most iconic finishes in MMA history.
Edwards(36-15-1) vs Derrick “The Eraser” Noble(26-12-1)
MFC 24: HeatXC
With efficient striking and killer instinct, Edwards exploded in the first round to stop Noble late in the 1st via TKO.
Yves Edwards(37-16-1) vs Luis Palomino(13-5)
Bellator 24
Edwards earned a well deserved unanimous decision over Palomino ,using solid gameplanning, effective takedowns, and consistent control.
Edwards(38-16-1) vs John Gunderson(20-6)
UFC Austin: Marquardt vs Palhares
Edwards secured a convincing decision win over Gunderson, controlling the fight with effective leg and body strikes, dominant grappling, and decisive GnP through all three rounds.
Edwards(39-16-1) vs Cody McKenzie(10-0)
UFC Fight For The Troops 2
Edwards neutralized Cody McKenzie’s guillotine offense, secured dominant ground control, and finished the bout with a RNC in Round 2. Halting McKenzie’s undefeated and submission streak.
Edwards(40-17-1) vs Rafaello Oliveira(15-5)
UFC on Versus 6: Cruz vs Johnson
After tough first round, Edwards regained momentum by landing a flush counter and knocking Oliveira down with a head kick, mounted his back, and finished the job with ground strikes in the 2nd.
Final MMA Win:Edwards(41-18-1) vs Jeremy Stephens(20-8)
UFC Seattle: Henderson vs Diaz
Edwards countered with a short, powerful right hook that dropped Stephens where he stood. He followed up by swarming with GnP to become the 1st man to KO Lil Heathens.
This was Yves’ last win in his MMA Career. Yves Edwards was a true pioneer in the evolution of mixed martial arts, particularly in the lightweight division. Blending sharp striking, fluid grappling, and creativity inside the cage, he helped define what it meant to be a complete fighter before the sport reached mainstream popularity. As the “Thugjitsu Master,” Edwards brought both technique and personality to every performance, earning respect from fans and fellow fighters alike. His legacy lives on in the dynamic, well-rounded lightweights of today.
Thank You Yves Edwards!
