Justin Edwards (fighter)

Last updated
Justin Edwards
BornJustin Ross Edwards
(1983-01-26) January 26, 1983 (age 41)
Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Other namesFast Eddy
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) [1]
Weight170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division Lightweight
Welterweight
Reach70 in (180 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Bellefontaine, Ohio, United States
TeamAmerican Top Team
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Years active2006–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins10
By knockout1
By submission8
By decision1
Losses7
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision3
Amateur record
Total7
Wins5
By knockout3
By submission3
Losses2
By submission1
By decision1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

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

Contents

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. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] 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. [5] However, Stumpf suffered an undisclosed injury and was replaced by Stephen Thompson. [6] Edwards was also forced to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Dan Stittgen. [7]

Edwards faced Josh Neer on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. [8] 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. [9] However, Edwards was forced to pull out of the bout citing an injury, and was replaced by returning veteran Jorge Santiago. [10]

Edwards faced promotional newcomer Brandon Thatch on August 28, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 27. [11] 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. [12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Edwards was expected to face Yancy Medeiros on August 30, 2014, at UFC 177. [13] 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. [14] [15]

Edwards faced Joe Proctor on June 6, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 68. [16] He lost the back-and-forth fight via submission with just seconds remaining in the final round. [17] Subsequently, he was released from the promotion. [18]

The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption

In February 2017, it was revealed that Edwards would again compete on the UFC's reality show in the 25th season on The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption . [19] Edwards was the seventh pick overall for Team Garbrandt. He defeated Joe Stevenson in the opening round by unanimous decision. In the quarter-finals Edwards lost to Tom Gallicchio by submission in the first round.

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
17 matches10 wins7 losses
By knockout13
By submission81
By decision13
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss10–7Willis BlackTKO (punches)WXC 79: Warrior Wednesday 4July 3, 201910:47 Southgate, Michigan, United States
Win10–6 Carlo Prater Submission (guillotine choke)Premier Fighting Championship 9August 11, 201831:44 Covington, Kentucky, United States Welterweight bout.
Loss9–6 Devonte Smith KO (punch)Alliance MMA at the Arnold Sports FestivalMarch 3, 201811:30 Columbus, Ohio, United StatesLightweight bout.
Win9–5Cody PahanSubmission (guillotine choke)Fight Night at the Island: Saunders vs. VolkmannSeptember 9, 201611:24 Welch, Minnesota, United StatesReturn to Welterweight.
Loss8–5 Joe Proctor Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson June 6, 201534:58 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Loss8–4 Ramsey Nijem Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs. Philippou January 15, 201435:00 Duluth, Georgia, United StatesLightweight debut.
Loss8–3 Brandon Thatch TKO (knees and punches) UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 August 28, 201311:23 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Win8–2 Josh Neer Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot October 5, 201210:45 Minneapolis, Minnesota, United StatesSubmission of the Night.
Loss7–2 John Maguire Decision (unanimous) UFC 138 November 5, 201135:00 Birmingham, England
Win7–1Jorge LopezDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger September 17, 201135:00 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Loss6–1 Clay Harvison Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale June 4, 201135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win6–0Marcus AjianSubmission (guillotine choke)CNG Promotions: Queen City MeltdownJune 26, 201010:40 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win5–0Tony ParkerSubmission (guillotine choke)Extreme IT ChallengeApril 10, 201011:20 Findlay, Ohio, United States
Win4–0Dan StittgenSubmission (guillotine choke)IFC: Wiuff vs. NewcombJanuary 8, 201010:37 Green Bay, Wisconsin, United StatesIFC Grand Prix Final.
Win3–0Davarius ScaifeSubmission (armbar)IFC: Wiuff vs. NewcombJanuary 8, 201010:48 Green Bay, Wisconsin, United StatesIFC Grand Prix Semifinal.
Win2–0 John Troyer Submission (guillotine choke) Bellator 5 May 1, 200914:12 Dayton, Ohio, United States
Win1–0Josh RaffertyTKO (punches)Extreme Challenge 111November 21, 200810:30 Elizabeth, Indiana, United StatesWelterweight debut.

Mixed martial arts exhibition record

Professional record breakdown
3 matches1 win2 losses
By knockout01
By submission01
By decision10
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss1–2Tom GallicchioSubmission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption June 7, 2017 (airdate)1 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Quarterfinals round
Win1–1 Joe Stevenson Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption May 31, 2017 (airdate)25:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States The Ultimate Fighter: Redemption Preliminary round
Loss0–1 Tony Ferguson KO (upkick) The Ultimate Fighter 13 May 4, 2011 (airdate)13:56 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States The Ultimate Fighter 13 Preliminary round

Amateur mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
14 matches12 wins2 losses
By knockout50
By submission71
By decision01
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss6–2Mickey HughesSubmission (armbar)NAAFS: Columbus Night of Pain 4September 19, 200812:22 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Loss6–1Konstandinos AngelasDecision (split)ICFA: Shamrock ShowdownMarch 14, 200833:00 Columbus, Ohio, United States
Win6–0Troy MillerSubmission (rear-naked choke)CSB 2: Caged Super Brawl 2February 16, 200812:25 Celina, Ohio, United States
Win5–0Jason KoehlerTKO (punches)NOTW: Night of the WarriorNovember 17, 200710:35 Dayton, Ohio, United States
Win4–0Sean LewisTKO (punches)NOTW: Night of the WarriorSeptember 29, 200710:30 Dayton, Ohio, United States
Win3–0Joe CamachoSubmission (armbar)Iron Tiger Challenge 3 [20] May 19, 200711:32 Bellefontaine, Ohio, United States
Win2–0Chad SmithTKO (punches)MFC 6: Mega Fighting ChampionshipJanuary 27, 200710:23 Bellefontaine, Ohio, United States
Win1–0Dusty JonesSubmission (rear-naked choke)MFC 4: Mega Fighting ChampionshipOctober 7, 200632:11 London, Ohio, United States

See also

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References

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