The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

YVES Edwards suffered his second consecutive loss on the UFC fight circuit when he came out on the short end of a split decision this weekend.

Daron Cruickshank got the better of Edwards on the judges’ scorecards in a matchup of lightweight veterans at UFC on Fox 8 at Key Arena in Seattle, Washington, on July 27.

Cruickshank, who was a late addition to the card after Spencer Fisher withdrew, received a 30-27 advantage from two judges while Edwards was scored 30-27 by the other. Edwards appeared to consistently control the fight, however Cruickshank landed several counter shots in the opening round.

The second and third rounds featured more of the same with Edwards dominating the pace and control of the fight but Cruickshank counter-striking.

A visibly upset and disgruntled Edwards left the fight abruptly following the announcement. The lightweight bout was part of Saturday night’s lineup which aired on FX following additional prelims on Facebook and ahead of a main card on FOX.

Cruickshank improved to 13-3 overall and 3-1 in UFC. He previously enjoyed a six fight win streak before a loss to John Makdessi in March.

Now, he is back in the win column.

Edwards fell to 42-20-1 overall and 10-8 in UFC.

In addition to his second consecutive loss, it was the third loss in four fights. The 36-year-old Bahamian mixed martial arts standout had his last UFC victory in December 2012 with a knockout win over Jeremy Stephens. Edwards had his alternating streaks of wins and losses begin in June 2011 when he suffered a stunning one-punch knockout against Sam Stout at UFC 131. He rebounded in his next bout at UFC Live 6 when he scored a TKO on punches over Rafaello Oliveira in October 2011.

Next up he lost on points to Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision at the Ultimate Fighter 14 finale. His only fight of 2012 was a first round knockout of Stephens at UFC on Fox 5, with a flurry of punches and elbows before he was awarded the fight.

His last bout before Cruickshank came in a loss by split decision to Isaac Vallie-Flagg at UFC 156 in February.

The main event of the 13 match card saw Demetrious Johnson retain his flyweight title over John Moraga via a fifth round submission.

Other matches on the main card included Rory MacDonald over Jake Ellenberger (unanimous decision), Robbie Lawler over Bobby Voelker (KO), Liz Carmouche over Jessica Andrade (TKO).

In addition to the Edwards/Cruickshank match, the preliminary card on FOX featured several other bouts decided by decisions.

After Jorge Masvidal won by submission over Michael Chiesa - Danny Castillo won by unanimous decision over Tim Means, Melvin Guillard KO’d Mac Danzing, Ed Herman won by split decision over Trevor Smith and Germaine de Randamie won by split decision over Julie Kedize.

On the preliminary card on Facebook, Yaotzin Meza defeated John Albert via submission and Justin Salas won by slit decision over Aaron Riley.

Following the match, the 32-year-old Riley announced his retirement on Twitter after 16 years in the sport. The event drew an announced attendance of 7,816 and a live gate of $735,000.

Edwards is credited with inventing the “Thug-Jitsu” fighting style and as a lightweight fighter in organisations such as the UFC, PRIDE, Bodog-FIGHT, and EliteXC.

He was born in New Providence and moved to Texas when he was 15-years-old.

He began his budding MMA career with traditional karate training, and moved on to kung fu before eventually taking up mixed martial arts.

He also credits Muay Thai for improving his stand-up technique. Based in Houston, Texas, Edwards says he learned his earliest grappling techniques as a teenager.

MMA analysts often consider Edwards a well-rounded fighter, with a strong boxing background. He has also trained with Lewis Wood, a sixth ranked WBA featherweight boxer, in addition to his experience in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.