MMA Veteran Yves Edwards Streaks into MFC
Chad Edward, MFC Staff - Few lightweight mixed martial artists have been where Yves Edwards (36-15-1) has been and
are still strapping on four-ounce gloves. Edwards has fought champions, and been written-off as washed up.
“You know, I think it’s all mental. You hear coming up that so much of this sport is
mental and you don’t really understand it until you’ve been around for awhile,” Edwards
explained Friday. “Now, I’ve been around for awhile and I’ve seen a lot of guys not
perform the way they’re capable of. But, I know where I need to be and I’m just ready to
fight.”
But, MFC CEO Mark Pavelich said Friday, "It's a one-off." He was referring to Edwards's
new one-fight contract with MFC. "Let's see where Yves is at."
That's a challenge to Edwards to show Canadian MMA fans and the world that he's still one
of the world's most dynamic, intimidating fighters at 155-pounds.
“I’m down to be around [in the MFC],” Edwards said. “Guys I’m friends with – Pete
Spratt, Luigi Fioravanti – they’ve told me they’ve been treated real well by MFC. I’ve
seen the shows and it’s a great production. This is a one-fight contract, but I want to
show what I can do and sign a multi-fight deal.”
Before Edwards's two wins over Jensen and Warfield, Edwards had dropped two to Duane
Ludwig and KJ Noons, and before that had won three consecutive. Streaks of wins and
losses have defined Edwards's career since he went 7-0 from 2003 through 2005.
That streak included a highlight reel flying head kick knockout of Josh Thomson and two
split decision victories over fellow MFC lightweight Hermes Franca.
At the River Cree Casino February 26, Edwards will fight Sweden’s Per Eklund (15-4-1),
also debuting in MFC.
“He’s good off his back, he’s a good kickboxer,” Edwards said of his opponent. “He’s not
a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. He’s good at everything.” But, Edwards added, “My
advantage is being able to make adjustments in fights to take advantage of weaknesses.”
Both lightweights have the full MMA skill set making for an unpredictable, exciting
matchup. They share just one common opponent. Edwards lost a unanimous decision to
Tatsuya Kawajiri in 2003 while Eklund was TKO’d by Kawajiri in 2006. Edwards will be the
favorite going into the fight, but Eklund is eminently capable of an upset if Edwards
takes him lightly.
While gunning to extend his winning streak to three with a win over Eklund, Edwards said
he has no interest in making it three wins over Hermes Franca during his MFC career.
“Yeah, they were close fights, good fights, but I’ve beat [Franca] twice. There’s really
no reason for me to fight him again unless it’s for a title,” said Edwards.
And, Edwards expects to ride his current win streak right into an MFC lightweight title,
through Eklund in February, Franca in the future if necessary, and any fighter MFC pits
him against.
are still strapping on four-ounce gloves. Edwards has fought champions, and been written-off as washed up.
He's fought around the world and in most major MMA promotions
since 1997. And, now Edwards will ride a two-fight win streak into Maximum Fighting
Championship at River Cree Casino February 26.
Edwards TKO'd Kyle Jensen in October and tapped James Warfield in a triangle choke in
September, both intense performances for the veteran who has recommitted himself at
American Top Team to returning to the top of the lightweight division.
“You know, I think it’s all mental. You hear coming up that so much of this sport is
mental and you don’t really understand it until you’ve been around for awhile,” Edwards
explained Friday. “Now, I’ve been around for awhile and I’ve seen a lot of guys not
perform the way they’re capable of. But, I know where I need to be and I’m just ready to
fight.”
But, MFC CEO Mark Pavelich said Friday, "It's a one-off." He was referring to Edwards's
new one-fight contract with MFC. "Let's see where Yves is at."
That's a challenge to Edwards to show Canadian MMA fans and the world that he's still one
of the world's most dynamic, intimidating fighters at 155-pounds.
“I’m down to be around [in the MFC],” Edwards said. “Guys I’m friends with – Pete
Spratt, Luigi Fioravanti – they’ve told me they’ve been treated real well by MFC. I’ve
seen the shows and it’s a great production. This is a one-fight contract, but I want to
show what I can do and sign a multi-fight deal.”
Before Edwards's two wins over Jensen and Warfield, Edwards had dropped two to Duane
Ludwig and KJ Noons, and before that had won three consecutive. Streaks of wins and
losses have defined Edwards's career since he went 7-0 from 2003 through 2005.
That streak included a highlight reel flying head kick knockout of Josh Thomson and two
split decision victories over fellow MFC lightweight Hermes Franca.
At the River Cree Casino February 26, Edwards will fight Sweden’s Per Eklund (15-4-1),
also debuting in MFC.
“He’s good off his back, he’s a good kickboxer,” Edwards said of his opponent. “He’s not
a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. He’s good at everything.” But, Edwards added, “My
advantage is being able to make adjustments in fights to take advantage of weaknesses.”
Both lightweights have the full MMA skill set making for an unpredictable, exciting
matchup. They share just one common opponent. Edwards lost a unanimous decision to
Tatsuya Kawajiri in 2003 while Eklund was TKO’d by Kawajiri in 2006. Edwards will be the
favorite going into the fight, but Eklund is eminently capable of an upset if Edwards
takes him lightly.
While gunning to extend his winning streak to three with a win over Eklund, Edwards said
he has no interest in making it three wins over Hermes Franca during his MFC career.
“Yeah, they were close fights, good fights, but I’ve beat [Franca] twice. There’s really
no reason for me to fight him again unless it’s for a title,” said Edwards.
And, Edwards expects to ride his current win streak right into an MFC lightweight title,
through Eklund in February, Franca in the future if necessary, and any fighter MFC pits
him against.
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