MMA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Lost a decision to Joe Hurley (Pictures) at WPC 2. Was submitted via armbar by Fabiano Iha (Pictures) at Extreme Challenge 22. Was submitted via heel hook by Nathan Marquardt (Pictures) at the Bas Rutten (Pictures) Invitational 4. Beat Aaron Riley (Pictures) twice by decision in HOOKnSHOOT. Rumina Sato (Pictures) submitted him with a rear-naked choke at Super Brawl 17. Lost a decision to Tatsuya Kawajiri (Pictures) at a Shooto 2003 show. Stopped Naoyuki Kotani (Pictures) with strikes at Euphoria-Road to the Titles. Submitted Dokonjonosuke Mishima (Pictures) via armbar at PRIDE Bushido 7. Lost a decision to Joachim Hansen (Pictures) at PRIDE Bushido 9. Beat Seichi Ikemoto (Pictures) by decision at PRIDE Bushido 10.
UFC EXPERIENCE: 6-3. Lost a decision to Matt Serra (Pictures) at UFC 33. Lost a decision to Caol Uno (Pictures) at UFC 37. Stopped Joao Marcos Pierini via shoulder injury at UFC 37.5. Submitted Rich Clementi (Pictures) via rear choke at UFC 41. Beat Eddie Ruiz (Pictures) by decision at UFC 43. Stopped Nick Agallar (Pictures) with strikes at UFC 45. Beat Hermes Franca (Pictures) by decision at UFC 47. He beat Franca by decision again at Euphoria “USA vs. the World.” Knocked Josh Thomson (Pictures) out with a kick at UFC 49. Was submitted via triangle armbar by Mark Hominick (Pictures) at UFC 58.
WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: He is deadly on the feet. His Muay Thai skills are excellent and he is most dangerous in the clinch. He also has quality ground skills and can work comfortably on the mat with any ground specialist. Edwards will work to take the fight where his opponent is least confident and finish him there.
STEVENSON: 5’ 7”, 155 pounds, 24, Torrance, California, known as “Daddy”
BACKGROUND: Stevenson is a wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu stylist. He began wrestling at age 11 and was an All-State wrestler in high school. Joe started jiu-jitsu at 13 and began fighting at 16. He has held the King of the Cage welterweight championship; KOTC lightweight championship; Ring of Fire welterweight championship; Rage in the Cage welterweight championship; and the Gladiator Challenge welterweight championship. Stevenson carries a professional MMA record of 24-7.
MMA CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Submitted Joe Camacho (Pictures) at the Empire One show. He submitted Camacho via rear choke in a rematch at KOTC 33. Was knocked out by Jens Pulver (Pictures) at the Bas Rutten (Pictures) Invitational 3. Submitted via triangle armbar by Chris Brennan (Pictures) at KOTC 1. Lost a decision to Ronald Jhun (Pictures) at Warriors Quest 1. Beat Edwin Dewees (Pictures) by decision at Gladiator Challenge 4. Lost a decision to Brad Gumm at Gladiator Challenge 5. He beat Gumm by decision in a rematch at Ultimate Pankration 1. Stopped Jeremy Jackson (Pictures) with strikes at KOTC 15. Lost a decision to Romie Aram at KOTC 17.
UFC EXPERIENCE: 1-1. On The Ultimate Fighter season two he stopped Marcus Davis with strikes in an elimination bout. Then he submitted Jason Von Flue via armbar in the semifinal. He beat Luke Cummo by decision on TUF 2 Finale to win the contract. He lost a decision to Josh Neer (Pictures) at Ultimate Fight Night 4.
WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: Stevenson has a strong wrestling base. He also has a great deal of experience against quality fighters at just 24 years old.
OVERALL OPINION OF MATCH: Good. Edwards has shown he can go anywhere and win. Though Stevenson has his wrestling base he’ll have to overcome a two-inch height disadvantage. It is going to be tough for him on the feet.