Knockout Nation’s Yves Edwards Interview

YE: It’s all good homie. Most guys in the MMA media have always been good to me I figure I should do the same.

KN: When your not training, kicking someone’s ass, what do you like to do in your spare time?

YE: I hang out with my favorite people my wife and kids. I also love playing baskeball, and flag football. Oh yeah and video games are always fun. I play a lot of Madden, Socom and Tiger Woods Golf.

KN: When and why did you start fighting?

YE: I think I had my very first fight in 97 or 98 it was just an amateur match here in Houston I got my ass kicked. shhhhh!!

KN: Growing up, who was your favorite fighter? Who did you want to be?

YE: The first time I saw Bas Rutten, and the first time I saw Pele fight I was inspired by those guys. I met Bas early in my career and he was one of the coolest most down to earth guys ever.

KN: Through your entire career has any member of your family not supported you with fighting MMA?

YE: I wouldn’t say that they didn’t support me, but any mother or grandmother don’t want to see their baby get hit, but they do love it when fans of the sport want to talk to them about me. They get so proud.

KN: Who has been your biggest influence in life and fighting?

YE: That one I’ll have to split between my wife and my son. She is such a go-getter she makes it hard to not want to get better at everything. Then my son I have never met anyone that is such a fighter. He’s only 3 and he’s already overcome so much more than I will probably ever have to in my life.

KN: What is your favorite technique?

YE: I’ve got a few of them but tops is probably the Superman punch. Everyone can do it but I have only seen a few guys do it right. I’d be one of them.

KN: Is there anyone person you have a “grudge against?

YE: Well I still don’t like David Hasselhoff.

KN: Explain a daily workout and training session.

YE: Well I’m going through some changes in my training routine. I’m bringing a lot of the old stuff back but I’m also adding some new things. It’s not quite fine tuned yet but it will be within the next few weeks.

KN: If you could train with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? And if it’s the team your training with now, tell us why?

YE: I really don’t know who else I would want to train with other than my guys. They have always been there to push me and for me. I would also like to get more work in with wrestlers though I think that is the weakest link in my game.

KN: What ranks and titles have you held/have?

YE: I’ve held a few local titles here in Texas that don’t even exist any more. I was also the HooknShoot/AFC Welterweight champion. Which I had to relinquish when I moved down to Lightweight. That is probably the only title that I’ve ever held that meant anything at all. As far as ranks go I have been ranked as high as #3 in the world, and the plan is to get back to that and keep rising.

KN: What do you feel is your biggest weapon in a fight?

YE: Man I got so many weapons, and I’ve never measured them all out to see which on was the biggest. Let’s just say they can all fuck you up.

KN: Are there any up-n-coming talent coming out of ThugJitsu?

YE: Yeah there are lots of younger guys training with us. The first names you’ll probably see will be Todd Moore and Raheem Williams, and there will still be more to come.

KN: Any news on your next opponent, which org it will be in and what date it could be?

YE: I don’t yet know who my next opponent will be but it will be at Bodogfight and it will probably be in June.

KN: After about 2 years of being away from the UFC, you return at UFC 58 to fight Mark Hominick. What is your thoughts on this fight and did you underestimate him?

YE: I think I fought a shitty fight. I didn’t feel like my usual self and I fought a young tough hungry guy. That sounds like a good formula to get your ass kicked, and that’s exactly what happened.

KN: Your most recent fight in the UFC was at UFC 61 against Joe Stevenson. What are your thoughts on this fight and what do you think you should have done different?

YE: For that fight my head was right, up until it got cut. Maybe I shouldn’t have shaved my head. That was very likely the only way that he could beat me. Doctor stoppage via cut. What I should have done different is not get in position to get elbowed.

KN: You’ve fought for all kinds of orgs such as UFC, Pride & BoDog. Which org do you prefer to fight in?

YE: I would fight in Wal-mart if it were legal and you got paid for it. I truly just love fighting and I love fighting good fighters. BoDog is signing some good guys and that’s where I am now, but yes I do still want to fight the good fighters from the other orgs and the ones that aren’t signed yet.

KN: Last question is will we see you back in the UFC anytime soon?

YE: Well right now I’m under contract to Bodog but you never know what free agency may bring. I could be back with Bodog after free agency or the UFC. There are a few things that you can always count on in the fight game. The best guy that night will always win. You can never count Couture out ever, and you can’t count on anything.

KN: Well I don’t want to take up anymore of your time. Are there any closing comments you’d want to make, sponsors, fans?

YE: Yeah I just want to say thanks to my fans and friends. Usually when a fighter goes through a slump tons of people jump ship, but through all of this I don’t think I have experienced much of that at all. For the most part everyone that I thought I could count on I really can, and that’s something you can’t come close to putting a value on.

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