While the world was watching for updates on Jeremy Stephens’ arrest and possible release, his opponent could do nothing but stay ready in case their fight happened.
Veteran fighter Yves Edwards prepared like he would for any fight, getting his hands wrapped, staying loose and ready just with the hope that his bout with Stephens would go ahead as scheduled at UFC on FX 5.
The fight never took place because Stephens was still in custody awaiting further word on his arrest stemming from a warrant on a 2011 assault charge in Iowa.
UFC President Dana White praised Edwards after the show for his consummate professional attitude dealing with the situation, and said he’s the type of fighter that is a key reason why the UFC is where it is today.
“Yves Edwards was told 35-minutes before the main event that his fight wasn’t on. That kid was wrapped up, warmed up and ready to fight. He’s an old school (fighter), it’s guys like Yves Edwards that have built this sport to what it is today,” White stated during the UFC on FX 5 post fight press conference.
“These are the guys that I’m talking about that helped us get to where it is today. It’s an honor to be in business with a guy like Yves Edwards. Some of these new guys ‘oh my heads all (expletive) up, I can’t take this fight now’. Yves Edwards was in that locker room ready to fight.”
As far as his financial situation, Edwards will be taken care of tonight, but he will be appearing on a UFC fight card in the very near future.
“He’ll be paid his show money and we’ll get him a fight. I don’t care if we have 37 fights on one card coming up soon, Yves Edwards will be on it. I’m going to get him a fight as soon as possible,” said White.
One possibility could be Edwards facing Thiago Tavares who also lost a fight at UFC on FX 5 when his opponent Dennis Hallman failed to make weight. UFC officials have yet to make any announcements however on either fighter’s next bout.