Earlier this week, long-time lightweight mixed martial artist Yves Edwards called it a career. For a special version of MMA Odds and Ends, I’ll look back at Edwards’ long, illustrious career and point out some of his greatest hits, the fights that every MMA fan should see. Yves Edwards vs. Jeremy Stephens, UFC on FOX 5 This was a shocker, and it was Edwards’ last knockout (and win) — the last of 16 knockouts and 42 wins in his career — and to this day it still stands as the only time Stephens has been finished in his career. Enjoy it, as this counter right hand was a thing of beauty. (Starts at 3:20 mark in video) Yves Edwards vs. Edson Berto, Elite XC: Street Certified My personal favorite Edwards finish, aside from a classic that I will mention shortly after. A beautiful jumping knee KOs Berto in explosive fashion. Watch this one, as it was one of the best knockouts ever in Elite XC. Yves Edwards vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima, PRIDE Bushido 7 Edwards was known for his striking, but his submissions were just as good, and he actually won 17 career bouts by tapout. Here’s one of his best, an armbar on Mishima in PRIDE Bushido. (Starts at 47 second mark in video) Yves Edwards vs. Josh Thomson, UFC 49 Most consider this the ultimate Edwards highlight, and it’s hard to disagree. It’s still one of the best knockouts in UFC history, bar none, even though it happened a decade ago and so much has happened since. Pretty amazing that Thomson is still ranked in the top 10 to this day. If you haven’t seen it (gasp!) here’s a video. (P.S. watch Steve Mazzaggati’s slow reaction time) Yves Edwards vs. Todd Justice, World Pankration Championships 1 Edwards’ first official pro fight on record came back on October 26, 1997, in Texas. Once, when I met MMA journalist John Morgan during a UFC event in Toronto, he told me he attended this fight and said it was something else. I found a video of the fight to share with everyone, so enjoy — not only was it Edwards’ first fight, but it was his first win, the first of 42 in his long and beautiful career.
