Yves Edwards Paired with John Cholish for Lightweight Bout at UFC on Fox 5 in Seattle

---

Following Friday’s canceled UFC on FX 5 meeting with Jeremy Stephens, Yves Edwards will now square off with fellow lightweight John Cholish on Dec. 8 at UFC on Fox 5.

Edwards announced the news Wednesday following an initial report from MMAFighting.com, and Sherdog.com independently confirmed the pairing with an additional source close to the contest.

UFC on Fox 5 takes place at KeyArena in Seattle and will be headlined by a lightweight title confrontation between reigning king Benson Henderson and challenger Nate Diaz.

Edwards last competed on Dec. 3 at “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 14 finale, dropping a close unanimous decision to “TUF 13” winner Tony Ferguson. The “Thugjitsu Master” was expected to face Stephens this past Friday, but that bout was scrapped after Stephens was arrested by Minneapolis police just hours prior to the contest. Nearly a 15-year pro, Edwards, 36, has lost two of his last three bouts since posting back-to-back wins to begin his most recent UFC run.

Eight years younger than his upcoming foe, Cholish (Pictured) began his pro career in 2007 and made his Strikeforce debut last year, submitting “TUF 12” alumnus Marc Stevens. Following a win over WEC vet Jameel Massouh under the Cage Fury Fighting Championships banner, Cholish finished Canadian talent Mitch Clarke in his Octagon foray last December. The 28-year-old saw an eight-fight winning streak snapped in his most recent outing, as Cholish was outpointed by Danny Castillo at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5.