Yves Edwards has had the MMA game on lock since 1998, when the skinny kid from Texas impressed Bas Rutten and then the world with his combination of striking prowess and mat savvy.When I talked to him earlier this year for The Houston Chronicle, Edwards described a once in a lifetime experience:
In 1998 Yves Edwards fought for the first time in front of MMA legend Bas Rutten. When his original opponent no-showed, Edwards stepped in against a much larger Tim Horton- and leg kicked him into oblivion. Rutten was so impressed that he and Marco Ruas took Edwards with them in their limousine. What happened that night is anyone’s guess, but for Edwards, who grew up idolizing the two stars, it was a dream come true.
“Bas is always an awesome guy,” Edwards said. “He’s cool as hell. One of the nicest guys in the game.”
He was the uncrowned UFC lightweight champion early in the Zuffa era before taking his game to Japan and the Pride Bushido. More than a decade later, Edwards is still going strong. He takes on Luis Palomino at Bellator 24 in Hollywood, Fla., on August 12th and has agreed to take our questions. So let them fly. What would you like to ask one of the most exciting fighters in MMA history?