(PRESS RELEASE) -- H.I.T Squad team member and German mixed martial artist, Mario Stapel has been announced as the opponent for American Top Team member, Yves Edwards at Shine 2.

UFC & PRIDE veteran, Marcus Aurelio had been cancelled from the Shine 2 show. As a replacement for Aurelio, PRIDE & UFC veteran, Yves Edwards was added to what is now one of the most phenomenal fight cards to ever hit Miami, Shine 2. As a member of the American Top Team, Yves Edwards joins his fighting family on the card, which is appropriately sub-titled, ‘American Top Team vs. The World.’

Starting his career in 2000, Stapel began on a 3-fight win streak. With fights against notable fighters like Duane “Bang” Ludwig, The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 finalist, Andre Winner and Shine Fighter Beau Baker. Coming off of a first round submission win over Harris Sarmiento at Shine 1, Stapel is ready to step up to the challenge Yves Edwards is ready to dish out.

Beginning his professional career in 1997, Edwards is the definition of a warrior. Having fought MMA stalwarts like: Nate Marquardt, Caol Uno, Thomas Denny, Josh Thompson and Matt Serra, Edwards has complied an impressive veteran’s record of 35-14-1. A list of some of Edwards past victims include: Dokojonosuke Mishima, Josh Thompson, Rich Clementi, Pete Spratt and Aaron Riley among myriad others. Known for his aggressive extremely athletic style, Edwards is the perfect replacement for Aurelio as the two both always come prepared to do battle.

Now on a two-fight losing streak, Yves Edwards is ready to get back into the winner’s circle and has entered South Florida’s premiere MMA show, Shine.

About Shine Fight Promotions, LLC

Shine Fight Promotions, LLC is a U.S. based enterprise that seeks to raise the awareness of the art, discipline, respect, passion, and talent that is mixed martial arts (MMA) to the global marketplace. Founded by MMA Fighter/Thai Boxer, Dorian Price along with his brother, Devin Price, Shine is committed to the growth and development of MMA creating a positive experience for both fighters and fans. Shine works diligently to put on fights that fighter’s want and that fans want to watch by arranging the most competitive and interesting matches. Shine Fight Promotions seeks to grow through innovation, high production values, dramatic and engaging fights, and the promotion of authentic MMA. With broadcast deals currently with Canadian based, The Fight Network and an online pay-per-view streaming deal with Audio Eye, Inc., Shine delivers content to as wide a wide of an audience

About Shine 2: American Top Team vs. The World

As the second event of Shine Fight Promotions, American Top Team vs. The World is appropriately named for the multitude of talent from Florida’s largest mixed martial arts gym. Shine Fight Promotions matchmakers, Ron Foster and Dorian Price, both fighters themselves, are committed to scouring the globe to pit only the best fighters against one another. The Shine 2 card has been filled with fighters from the best training camps and MMA gyms from across the world including: Randy Couture’s Xtreme Couture MMA (Las Vegas), Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. Squad (Granite City IL), American Top Team (Coconut Creek FL), Brazilian Top Team (Rio De Janeiro, BR), Chute Boxe (Curitiba, BR), Team Quest (Portland, OR), Thugjitsu (Houston, TX), Ascension MMA (Atlanta, GA) and Gold Team Fighters (Newark, NJ).

The Fight Network is the leading provider of combat sports content, featuring mixed martial arts (MMA), the fastest growing sports category in the world, as well as boxing, wrestling, kickboxing and other sports. Fight Network content is delivered to our consumers on multiple media platforms including; cable and satellite television, terrestrial and satellite radio, the Internet, mobile and more. Our branded delivery channels include major Internet portals yahoo.com, foxsports.com, & msn.com, on mobile through all major carriers in Canada as well as Sprint & Verizon in the United States. On Radio we are available terrestrially across Canada and through North America on Sirius Satellite Radio.