Justin Edwards (fighter)

Justin Edwards
Born Justin Ross Edwards
January 26, 1983
Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Other names Fast Eddie
Nationality American
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach 71.0 in (180 cm)
Fighting out of Bellefontaine, Ohio, United States
Team JG MMA
Rank Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active 2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 12
Wins 8
By knockout 1
By submission 6
By decision 1
Losses 4
By knockout 1
By decision 3
Amateur career
Total 9
Wins 6
By knockout 3
By submission 3
Losses 3
By submission 2
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Justin Ross Edwards (born January 26, 1983) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently competing in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Edwards has also formerly competed for Bellator, and was a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Background

Edwards grew up in Mansfield, Ohio, attending Madison High School. There he participated in football and wrestling. Edwards also did Greco-Roman wrestling that was not affiliated with his school. Upon graduating Edwards earned an athletic scholarship to play football at Urbana University in Urbana, Ohio. Edwards graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Criminal Justice. After graduating college Edwards picked up rugby until his work schedule wouldn't allow him to play.

Mixed martial arts career

Background

Edwards started training MMA in 2006 after seeing an MMA fight on television, and began training at a local gym the following day. In October 2006, Edwards made his amateur debut, winning via submission. He won his next five amateur fights, holding an undefeated 6–0 record before losing three straight fights and then deciding to go pro.

Early career

Edwards made his pro debut with a 30 second TKO win over Ultimate Fighter alumni, Josh Rafferty. His next bout took place at Bellator 5 against veteran John Troyer. Edwards won the fight via submission towards the end of round one. He then entered a one night tournament for the International Fighting Championship, winning the tournament with wins over Davarius Scaife and Daniel Stittgen – both via first round submission. Edwards won two more fights before appearing on The Ultimate Fighter.

The Ultimate Fighter

In 2011, Edwards had signed with the UFC to compete in The Ultimate Fighter: Team Lesnar vs. Team dos Santos.

Edwards was flown in as a replacement fighter for Keon Caldwell, making Edwards a member of Team dos Santos. He had his first fight against eventual winner Tony Ferguson. Edwards lost after Ferguson threw an upkick that knocked him unconscious. He was set to appear in the wildcard round but was suspended 90 days and could not compete.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After losing in the preliminary round, Edwards remained signed after the show. He made his official UFC debut June 4, 2011 on The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale card, fighting against castmate, Clay Harvison.[1] He lost the fight via split decision.

Edwards faced highly-touted prospect and Wand Fight Team product, Jorge Lopez, on September 17, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 25.[2] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Edwards stepped in to fight newly-signed Englishman, John Maguire, at UFC 138 in Birmingham, England, following the withdrawal of James Head due to injury.[3] After being taken down and controlled for most of the fight, Edwards lost via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27).

Edwards was expected to face Mike Stumpf on February 4, 2012 at UFC 143.[4] However, Stumpf suffered an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Stephen Thompson.[5] Edwards was also forced to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Dan Stittgen.[6]

Edwards faced Josh Neer on October 5, 2012 at UFC on FX 5.[7] Edwards leaped into an arm in guillotine and finished the fight 45 seconds into the first round via technical submission after choking Neer unconscious. The finish won him Submission of the Night honors.

Edwards was expected to face Gunnar Nelson on February 16, 2013 at UFC on Fuel TV: Barao vs. McDonald.[8] However, Edwards was forced to pull out of the bout citing an injury, and was replaced by returning veteran Jorge Santiago.[9]

Edwards faced promotional newcomer Brandon Thatch on August 28, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 27.[10] He lost the bout via first round TKO.

Edwards faced Ramsey Nijem in a Lightweight bout on January 15, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 35.[11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Edwards was expected to face Yancy Medeiros on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177.[12] However, Edwards pulled out of the event in the days leading up to the event citing an injury. Medeiros ended up fighting promotional newcomer Damon Jackson.[13][14]

Edwards is expected to face Joe Proctor on June 6, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 68.[15]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 8–4 Ramsey Nijem Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 2014 3 5:00 Duluth, Georgia, United States Lightweight debut.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 8–3 Brandon Thatch TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 2013 1 1:23 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 8–2 Josh Neer Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 2012 1 0:45 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Submission of the Night.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 7–2 John Maguire Decision (unanimous) UFC 138 November 5, 2011 3 5:00 Birmingham, England
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 7–1 Jorge Lopez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger September 17, 2011 3 5:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–1 Clay Harvison Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale June 4, 2011 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Marcus Ajian Submission (guillotine choke) CNG Promotions: Queen City Meltdown June 26, 2010 1 0:40 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Tony Parker Submission (guillotine choke) Extreme IT Challenge April 10, 2010 1 1:20 Findlay, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Dan Stittgen Submission (guillotine choke) IFC: Wiuff vs. Newcomb January 8, 2010 1 0:37 Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States IFC Grand Prix Final
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Davarius Scaife Submission (armbar) IFC: Wiuff vs. Newcomb January 8, 2010 1 0:48 Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States IFC Grand Prix Semi-Final.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 John Troyer Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 5 May 1, 2009 1 4:12 Dayton, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Josh Rafferty TKO (punches) Extreme Challenge 111 November 21, 2008 1 0:30 Elizabeth, Indiana, United States

Amateur mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–3 Austin Hile Submission (armbar) Assault @ The Armory[16] March 5, 2010 2 1:14 Mexico, Missouri, United States For the ATA Middleweight (Amateur) Championship.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–2 Mickey Hughes Submission (armbar) NAAFS: Columbus Night of Pain 4 September 19, 2008 1 2:22 Columbus, Ohio, United States
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss 6–1 Konstandinos Angelas Decision (split) ICFA: Shamrock Showdown March 14, 2008 3 3:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 6–0 Troy Miller Submission (rear-naked choke) CSB 2: Caged Super Brawl 2 February 16, 2008 1 2:25 Celina, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 5–0 Jason Koehler TKO (punches) NOTW: Night of the Warrior November 17, 2007 1 0:35 Dayton, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 4–0 Sean Lewis TKO (punches) NOTW: Night of the Warrior September 29, 2007 1 0:30 Dayton, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 3–0 Joe Camacho Submission (armbar) Iron Tiger Challenge 3[17] May 19, 2007 1 1:32 Bellefontaine, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 2–0 Chad Smith TKO (punches) MFC 6: Mega Fighting Championship January 27, 2007 1 0:23 Bellefontaine, Ohio, United States
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win 1–0 Dusty Jones Submission (rear-naked choke) MFC 4: Mega Fighting Championship October 7, 2006 3 2:11 London, Ohio, United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "TUF 13 Finale prelims add Edwards vs. Harvison". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  2. ↑ "Jorge Lopez vs. Justin Edwards slated for UFC Fight Night 25". mmajunkie.com. August 14, 2011.
  3. ↑ "John Maguire Gets New Opponent At UFC 138 In Justin Edwards". YourMMA.tv. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "Justin Edwards vs. Mike Stumpf added to UFC 143 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. December 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Stumpf injured, replacement Thompson meets Edwards at UFC 143". mmajunkie.com. January 10, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Justin Edwards injured, Dan Stittgen faces Stephen Thompson at UFC 143". mmajunkie.com. January 19, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Neer-Edwards added to UFC on FX 5". mmajunkie.com. August 1, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Gunnar Nelson vs. Justin Edwards added to UFC on FUEL TV 7 in London". mmajunkie.com. December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  9. ↑ Staff (January 23, 2013). "Justin Edwards out, Jorge Santiago in against Gunnar Nelson at UFC on FUEL TV 7". mmajunkie.com.
  10. ↑ Staff (2013-06-05). "Justin Edwards-Brandon Thatch booked for UFC on FOX Sports 1 2 in Indianapolis". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-06-05.
  11. ↑ Staff (2013-11-24). "UFC Fight Night 35 Card Grows with Addition of Three New Bouts". uk.eurosport.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  12. ↑ Staff (2014-07-14). "Justin Edwards vs. Yancy Medeiros booked for UFC 177". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  13. ↑ Staff (2014-08-21). "With Justin Edwards off UFC 177 card, promotion seeks replacement". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2014-08-21.
  14. ↑ "Legacy champion Damon Jackson faces Yancy Medeiros at UFC 177". fansided.com.
  15. ↑ Andy Glen Ravens (2015-02-27). "Three new bouts added to UFC Fight Night 68". efightnews.com. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  16. ↑ Mixedmartialarts.com Staff (March 5, 2014). "Assault @ The Armory Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  17. ↑ Mixedmartialarts.com Staff (May 19, 2007). "Iron Tiger Challenge 3 Official Results". mixedmartialarts.com. Retrieved 2014-05-26.