UFC 47: It’s On! Preview
Yves Edwards vs. Hermes Franca
Mar 30, 2004
Lightweight Bout: Yves Edwards vs. Hermes Franca
YVES EDWARDS: American Muay Thai fighter, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, former HOOK’n’SHOOT middleweight champion, Extreme Challenge veteran, Bas Rutten Invitational veteran, KOTC veteran, Superbrawl veteran, Bushido veteran, Shogun veteran, Shooto veteran, Abu Dhabi veteran, trains with Lewis Wood, Saul Soliz, Kenny Weldon, Eddie Miller, Ricardo Barros and Pete Spratt and represents the Third Column Fight Team, with an overall record of 22-8-1 in MMA, making his 7th appearance (4-2) in the UFC.
Abbreviated Fight History: Woodlands, Texas native Yves
Edwards has been fighting MMA for 7 years. He started competing in
small local shows like Xtreme Shootout, Renegades, Power Ring
Warriors, Armageddon and the World Pankration Championships. He
branched out and began taking fights in other parts of the country
like in the Bas Rutten Invitational and Extreme Challenge. With a
record of 6-3, he took a shot at fighting in the respected Midwest
event HOOK’n’ SHOOT against Aaron Riley and it seemed as though the
door at other events opened up too. Superbrawl, King of the Cage,
Shogun, Bushido and of course the UFC all showed interest in
Edwards. He debuted in UFC 33 against Matt Serra and was 0-2 before
putting together four consecutive wins in the octagon. A win Friday
night guarantees a shot at the UFC lightweight title.
Edwards/Fabiano Iha: Iha clinched immediately and had a great deal of difficulty taking Edwards down. When they separated, Iha tried his hand at striking but quickly thought better of the idea when he was blasted with a number of combinations and a knee to the body. Fabiano got his takedown about a minute in and achieved half mount. He eventually passed to sidemount but Yves quickly had him back in guard. Iha threw strikes down at him and able to catch him in an armbar for the win.
Edwards/Matt Serra: Yves’ first appearance in the fabled Octagon was at UFC 33 against Matt “The Terror” Serra. The fight went the distance with both fighters having the upper hand in the bout. Serra was better on the ground as Edwards dominated on the feet. In the end, much of the battle took place on the canvas where Matt controlled the tempo and the decision went to Serra.
Edwards/Danny Bennett: Edwards’ ability to feed on his opponent’s weaknesses was never more apparent than in his King of the Cage 5 bout where he didn’t even allow the blue haired Danny “Boy” Bennett to get started. Yves took him to the ground, mounted him, struck him repeatedly and worked in the rear choke to victory.
Edwards/Rich Clementi: The bout starts slow, with Edwards staying busier and throwing combination punches inside. They clinch and Yves eats a few punches but delivers a number of knees to the body and Clementi wants to bring it down. Edwards stands up and they resume standing. Yves lets the hands fly and lands strikes inside, forcing Rich to clinch and go for the takedown. They clinch in the fence and Edwards begins to look even more comfortable, picking his shots and toying with Clementi. Rich had another failed takedown and landed a punch or two inside but the round was all Edwards. In the second round, Edwards controlled the pace, defended takedowns and avoided the ground. Rich gets a takedown but Yves makes it very difficult for him to sit back and control. At one point, Clementi is able to trap Edwards’ left arm behind him but loses it. Although Yves was grounded for much of the round, Edwards got out from under him and sent a message to Rich in the final seconds. Clementi looked tired to start the final round but he landed some strikes standing and was controlling the action on the ground early. They stand and trade and Clementi tries to bring it back down but Yves is in control this time. Edwards gets Clementi’s back and is able to get his hooks in and eventually sink the rear choke for the win.
Edwards/Eddie Ruiz: Ruiz came out wanting to take the fight to the ground but quickly found himself under the tutelage of Edwards. Yves had a body triangle on Ruiz that Eddie could not get out of. They checked a cut on Ruiz and restarted in the standing position. Yves attempted a flying knee but just missed and opened himself up for a takedown. They spent the rest of the round on the ground with Edwards having the edge in control. Yves lands a solid left shin to the head early in the second round. Ruiz was easy to bring down and Edwards had an armbar and a triangle choke but lost both. Yves stopped a number of takedowns and again assumed the back of Eddie with a body triangle. Ruiz frees himself but doesn’t have the striking skills to finish or control Edwards and Yves regains ring generalship. Edwards lands a hard knee and barely misses a roundhouse to the head before the bell. Round three saw Edwards in control for most of the round. Ruiz got Yves’ back once or twice but he seemed confused as how to finish. Once Yves established control, it was a series of strikes and near-submissions until the final bell.
Also worthy of note, Edwards faced: Joe Hurley (loss/decision), Thomas Denny (win/submission), Nathan Marquardt (loss/submission), Shannon Ritch (win/submission), Rumina Sato (loss/submission), Pete Spratt (win/submission), Caol Uno (loss/decision), Scott Bills (win/TKO), CJ Fernandes (draw), Kultar Gill (win/submission), Joao Pierini (win/TKO) and Nick Agallar (win/TKO)
Strengths And Weaknesses: His stand-up game is superior to most in this division and his knees are in a word “deadly”. Yves hands are solid and his punching combinations have proven effective. He enjoys standing and trading and many opponents are hesitant to indulge him. On the ground, Edwards has shown good control and submission ability, especially against those who are not so proficient on the mat. He has nearly a dozen wins by legitimate submission and favors the rear naked choke so he is capable of taking the fight anywhere. However, if you had to decide on a weakness, it would be in the submission area. The guy is pretty balanced so it’s a tough argument to make, but he always appears more effective standing.
How He Can Beat Franca: Standing. If Yves can keep the jiu-jitsu fighter on his feet and avoid the takedown, his striking is superior. A clinch with Thai knees to the head could be the road to a title bout with Josh Thomson.
HERMES FRANCA: Brazilian native, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, NAGA Grappling Champion, Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Champion, HOOKnSHOOT Featherweight Champion (145lbs), World Extreme Fighting Champion, trains with Marcus and Marcelo Silveira, Ricardo Liborio, Marcus Aurelio and the rest of the American Top Team with a 8-1 record in MMA, making his 4th appearance (2-1) in the UFC
Abbreviated Fight History: Hermes played soccer as a boy and then after discovering jiu-jitsu, began training under Marcus Aurelio in Fortaleza Brazil. After moving to Florida to live with a friend, Franca competed in the Florida State Jiu-Jitsu tournament and met Marcelo Silveira. He continued training and began fighting MMA in 2001 for the HOOK’n’SHOOT promotion. His UFC debut was last April at UFC 42 and he has quickly become the “buzz” fighter in the division. Hermes suffered his first MMA loss in a controversial decision at UFC 46: Supernatural against Josh Thomson and he will face that man again but this time for the title if he wins Friday night.
Franca/Mike Brown: Bout discussed under the Mike Brown bio.
Franca/Anthony Hamlett: The two met just over a year ago in the HOOK’n’SHOOT: New Wind show. Franca made short work of the Northwest Elite fighter, taking him out with strikes in the first round.
Franca/Yohei Suzuki: Franca came out swinging and stunned Suzuki. Once on the mat, it was just a few seconds work before his guillotine choke was sunk in. A similar approach may work well with Uno.
Franca/Ryan Diaz: Diaz came out of the corner with a flying knee strike but Franca defended and took it to the mat. A wild skirmish took place with Franca passing guard and Diaz reestablishing it. Ryan nearly kneebarred Hermes but Franca was able to punch out. Franca finished with a guillotine choke in an exciting hard-fought battle.
Franca/Richard Crunkilton: Hermes survived a big slam early and Crunkilton outlasted a fully extended kneebar but both fighters seemed to gas late in the 1st round. The 2nd round was a stand-up conflict with both fighters scoring on the feet. The 3rd and final round was a submission clinic by Franca; armbars, triangles, Omo Platas and an armlock from hell but nothing would finish Crunkilton. Franca took the decision.
Franca/Caol Uno: They exchange standing with Franca throwing a head height roundhouse kick and Uno going to the legs. They feel each other out and minor strikes lead to a clinch where knees are exchanged. Franca scores a trip takedown and lands in sidemount. They trade strikes and Franca stands to work on a leg log. Uno stands and pounds Franca with punches and leg kicks. Caol was effective holding one leg and landing punches to the body. After some damage, Hermes is able to sit up and stand and clinch in the side of the cage. Uno scores a takedown and strikes from halfguard. Franca defends from his back but he’s taking heavy abuse on the mat. The first round unquestionably belonged to Uno. The second round begins with more feeling out on the feet and Franca lands the same high roundhouse kick he threw in the first round but follows it with a right to the head and jumps to guard. Uno winds up with a front headlock and Franca turns them to the mat, eventually sitting in Uno’s guard. Caol fires back from the mat and quickly stands up to exchange. The pace slows as they grapple from the clinch. Franca executes and amazing hip toss that plants Uno on the canvas on the top of his head. Hermes quickly jumps on top to mount and unloads punches to the head. From halfguard, Franca’s onslaught continues and he seizes Uno’s back. They stand but Uno is merely absorbing punishment. Caol sets up to trade with Hermes and is met with a powerful right hand to the head that puts him to sleep.
Franca/Thomson: Thomson took the decision victory in the unaired prelim but controversy surrounds the bout and its officiating. Guess we’ll all just have to wait for the DVD to see for ourselves. If Franca wins, he gets immediate “payback” in UFC 48 for the lightweight title.
Strengths And Weaknesses: Definitely the ground. Franca is a BJJ black belt and highly decorated champion. With 5 wins by choke, Hermes knows how to put people away on the mat. He has been working his stand-up skills with Din Thomas and boxer Herman Caicedo so his game is coming full-circle. The fruits of his labor were on display in the Uno bout where he was able to finish strong.
How He Can Beat Edwards: By submission. Franca has shown his versatility with good stand-up skills but he’s better off on the ground. If he can hang with Edwards on the feet and bring it to where he’s more comfortable, an opening for submission may present itself.
MY PICK: Franca. Hermes appears poised to get a title in this division and he’ll need to be sharp against Edwards to move a step closer. He also likely feels he was robbed in the Josh Thomson fight. Yves has fierce stand-up and likely feels ignored with most of the attention being placed on Franca. That makes for a great fight. The winner here battles Josh Thomson for the lightweight crown and I think it will be Franca.
DOWN THE ROAD:
Edwards/Joachim Hansen: The loss to Ribeiro was a set back but wins over Rumina Sato and Takanori Gomi should be worth a shot in the UFC or Pride Bushido.
Edwards /Ivan Menjivar: The Canadian has looked good in local shows and in the UCC and almost faced Matt Serra or Jeff Curran at the UFC 46 show. He should follow Loiseau’s lead to the U.S. and get some much needed international exposure. He may get Serra at UFC 48.
Franca/Vitor Ribeiro: It’s BJJ vs. BJJ and Vitor has expressed an interest in fighting in the UFC.
Franca/Josh Thomson: The controversial outcome of the initial meeting warrants a rematch. This could be your lightweight division title fight.
YVES EDWARDS: American Muay Thai fighter, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, former HOOK’n’SHOOT middleweight champion, Extreme Challenge veteran, Bas Rutten Invitational veteran, KOTC veteran, Superbrawl veteran, Bushido veteran, Shogun veteran, Shooto veteran, Abu Dhabi veteran, trains with Lewis Wood, Saul Soliz, Kenny Weldon, Eddie Miller, Ricardo Barros and Pete Spratt and represents the Third Column Fight Team, with an overall record of 22-8-1 in MMA, making his 7th appearance (4-2) in the UFC.
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Edwards/Fabiano Iha: Iha clinched immediately and had a great deal of difficulty taking Edwards down. When they separated, Iha tried his hand at striking but quickly thought better of the idea when he was blasted with a number of combinations and a knee to the body. Fabiano got his takedown about a minute in and achieved half mount. He eventually passed to sidemount but Yves quickly had him back in guard. Iha threw strikes down at him and able to catch him in an armbar for the win.
Edwards/Aaron Riley: These two fought twice, in 1999 and 2001. In
the first bout Yves opens with a guillotine and quickly moves to a
Muay Thai head grip but Aaron works out of both and they clinch.
They trade knees standing and grapple back on the forth on the
ground in a non-stop action bout. Edwards hits Riley square on the
jaw numerous times and Riley just keeps coming. Some of the hard
knees bring Riley to the mat and they fight in Aaron’s guard. They
check a cut on Aaron’s chin from a knee but the bout quickly
resumes. They continue to battle standing and on mat. Riley gets a
takedown about 11 minutes in but appears exhausted and all the
action and submission attempts come from Edwards. Aaron eventually
passes guard to side control and works to north/south. Yves rolls
to his stomach but Riley gets his back and eventually get mount.
Edwards is able to kick out, get back to his feet and establish
side control back on the mat. Riley works to guard and Edwards
stands. Rather than get into another standing battle, Riley jumps
to guard and brings it back down. The action goes up and down very
quickly. Riley continues to try to keep the battle grounded and
lands open hand strikes to Edwards’ face. Yves controls from the
top in Riley’s guard, remaining in control until the final bell and
takes the victory. In the second bout, Riley’s nose bursts early
but the fight is action packed for all three rounds. It went the
15-minute distance and Edwards took Riley’s title.
Edwards/Matt Serra: Yves’ first appearance in the fabled Octagon was at UFC 33 against Matt “The Terror” Serra. The fight went the distance with both fighters having the upper hand in the bout. Serra was better on the ground as Edwards dominated on the feet. In the end, much of the battle took place on the canvas where Matt controlled the tempo and the decision went to Serra.
Edwards/Danny Bennett: Edwards’ ability to feed on his opponent’s weaknesses was never more apparent than in his King of the Cage 5 bout where he didn’t even allow the blue haired Danny “Boy” Bennett to get started. Yves took him to the ground, mounted him, struck him repeatedly and worked in the rear choke to victory.
Edwards/Rich Clementi: The bout starts slow, with Edwards staying busier and throwing combination punches inside. They clinch and Yves eats a few punches but delivers a number of knees to the body and Clementi wants to bring it down. Edwards stands up and they resume standing. Yves lets the hands fly and lands strikes inside, forcing Rich to clinch and go for the takedown. They clinch in the fence and Edwards begins to look even more comfortable, picking his shots and toying with Clementi. Rich had another failed takedown and landed a punch or two inside but the round was all Edwards. In the second round, Edwards controlled the pace, defended takedowns and avoided the ground. Rich gets a takedown but Yves makes it very difficult for him to sit back and control. At one point, Clementi is able to trap Edwards’ left arm behind him but loses it. Although Yves was grounded for much of the round, Edwards got out from under him and sent a message to Rich in the final seconds. Clementi looked tired to start the final round but he landed some strikes standing and was controlling the action on the ground early. They stand and trade and Clementi tries to bring it back down but Yves is in control this time. Edwards gets Clementi’s back and is able to get his hooks in and eventually sink the rear choke for the win.
Edwards/Eddie Ruiz: Ruiz came out wanting to take the fight to the ground but quickly found himself under the tutelage of Edwards. Yves had a body triangle on Ruiz that Eddie could not get out of. They checked a cut on Ruiz and restarted in the standing position. Yves attempted a flying knee but just missed and opened himself up for a takedown. They spent the rest of the round on the ground with Edwards having the edge in control. Yves lands a solid left shin to the head early in the second round. Ruiz was easy to bring down and Edwards had an armbar and a triangle choke but lost both. Yves stopped a number of takedowns and again assumed the back of Eddie with a body triangle. Ruiz frees himself but doesn’t have the striking skills to finish or control Edwards and Yves regains ring generalship. Edwards lands a hard knee and barely misses a roundhouse to the head before the bell. Round three saw Edwards in control for most of the round. Ruiz got Yves’ back once or twice but he seemed confused as how to finish. Once Yves established control, it was a series of strikes and near-submissions until the final bell.
Also worthy of note, Edwards faced: Joe Hurley (loss/decision), Thomas Denny (win/submission), Nathan Marquardt (loss/submission), Shannon Ritch (win/submission), Rumina Sato (loss/submission), Pete Spratt (win/submission), Caol Uno (loss/decision), Scott Bills (win/TKO), CJ Fernandes (draw), Kultar Gill (win/submission), Joao Pierini (win/TKO) and Nick Agallar (win/TKO)
Strengths And Weaknesses: His stand-up game is superior to most in this division and his knees are in a word “deadly”. Yves hands are solid and his punching combinations have proven effective. He enjoys standing and trading and many opponents are hesitant to indulge him. On the ground, Edwards has shown good control and submission ability, especially against those who are not so proficient on the mat. He has nearly a dozen wins by legitimate submission and favors the rear naked choke so he is capable of taking the fight anywhere. However, if you had to decide on a weakness, it would be in the submission area. The guy is pretty balanced so it’s a tough argument to make, but he always appears more effective standing.
How He Can Beat Franca: Standing. If Yves can keep the jiu-jitsu fighter on his feet and avoid the takedown, his striking is superior. A clinch with Thai knees to the head could be the road to a title bout with Josh Thomson.
HERMES FRANCA: Brazilian native, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt, NAGA Grappling Champion, Brazilian National Jiu-Jitsu Champion, Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Champion, HOOKnSHOOT Featherweight Champion (145lbs), World Extreme Fighting Champion, trains with Marcus and Marcelo Silveira, Ricardo Liborio, Marcus Aurelio and the rest of the American Top Team with a 8-1 record in MMA, making his 4th appearance (2-1) in the UFC
Abbreviated Fight History: Hermes played soccer as a boy and then after discovering jiu-jitsu, began training under Marcus Aurelio in Fortaleza Brazil. After moving to Florida to live with a friend, Franca competed in the Florida State Jiu-Jitsu tournament and met Marcelo Silveira. He continued training and began fighting MMA in 2001 for the HOOK’n’SHOOT promotion. His UFC debut was last April at UFC 42 and he has quickly become the “buzz” fighter in the division. Hermes suffered his first MMA loss in a controversial decision at UFC 46: Supernatural against Josh Thomson and he will face that man again but this time for the title if he wins Friday night.
Franca/Mike Brown: Bout discussed under the Mike Brown bio.
Franca/Anthony Hamlett: The two met just over a year ago in the HOOK’n’SHOOT: New Wind show. Franca made short work of the Northwest Elite fighter, taking him out with strikes in the first round.
Franca/Yohei Suzuki: Franca came out swinging and stunned Suzuki. Once on the mat, it was just a few seconds work before his guillotine choke was sunk in. A similar approach may work well with Uno.
Franca/Ryan Diaz: Diaz came out of the corner with a flying knee strike but Franca defended and took it to the mat. A wild skirmish took place with Franca passing guard and Diaz reestablishing it. Ryan nearly kneebarred Hermes but Franca was able to punch out. Franca finished with a guillotine choke in an exciting hard-fought battle.
Franca/Richard Crunkilton: Hermes survived a big slam early and Crunkilton outlasted a fully extended kneebar but both fighters seemed to gas late in the 1st round. The 2nd round was a stand-up conflict with both fighters scoring on the feet. The 3rd and final round was a submission clinic by Franca; armbars, triangles, Omo Platas and an armlock from hell but nothing would finish Crunkilton. Franca took the decision.
Franca/Caol Uno: They exchange standing with Franca throwing a head height roundhouse kick and Uno going to the legs. They feel each other out and minor strikes lead to a clinch where knees are exchanged. Franca scores a trip takedown and lands in sidemount. They trade strikes and Franca stands to work on a leg log. Uno stands and pounds Franca with punches and leg kicks. Caol was effective holding one leg and landing punches to the body. After some damage, Hermes is able to sit up and stand and clinch in the side of the cage. Uno scores a takedown and strikes from halfguard. Franca defends from his back but he’s taking heavy abuse on the mat. The first round unquestionably belonged to Uno. The second round begins with more feeling out on the feet and Franca lands the same high roundhouse kick he threw in the first round but follows it with a right to the head and jumps to guard. Uno winds up with a front headlock and Franca turns them to the mat, eventually sitting in Uno’s guard. Caol fires back from the mat and quickly stands up to exchange. The pace slows as they grapple from the clinch. Franca executes and amazing hip toss that plants Uno on the canvas on the top of his head. Hermes quickly jumps on top to mount and unloads punches to the head. From halfguard, Franca’s onslaught continues and he seizes Uno’s back. They stand but Uno is merely absorbing punishment. Caol sets up to trade with Hermes and is met with a powerful right hand to the head that puts him to sleep.
Franca/Thomson: Thomson took the decision victory in the unaired prelim but controversy surrounds the bout and its officiating. Guess we’ll all just have to wait for the DVD to see for ourselves. If Franca wins, he gets immediate “payback” in UFC 48 for the lightweight title.
Strengths And Weaknesses: Definitely the ground. Franca is a BJJ black belt and highly decorated champion. With 5 wins by choke, Hermes knows how to put people away on the mat. He has been working his stand-up skills with Din Thomas and boxer Herman Caicedo so his game is coming full-circle. The fruits of his labor were on display in the Uno bout where he was able to finish strong.
How He Can Beat Edwards: By submission. Franca has shown his versatility with good stand-up skills but he’s better off on the ground. If he can hang with Edwards on the feet and bring it to where he’s more comfortable, an opening for submission may present itself.
MY PICK: Franca. Hermes appears poised to get a title in this division and he’ll need to be sharp against Edwards to move a step closer. He also likely feels he was robbed in the Josh Thomson fight. Yves has fierce stand-up and likely feels ignored with most of the attention being placed on Franca. That makes for a great fight. The winner here battles Josh Thomson for the lightweight crown and I think it will be Franca.
DOWN THE ROAD:
Edwards/Joachim Hansen: The loss to Ribeiro was a set back but wins over Rumina Sato and Takanori Gomi should be worth a shot in the UFC or Pride Bushido.
Edwards /Ivan Menjivar: The Canadian has looked good in local shows and in the UCC and almost faced Matt Serra or Jeff Curran at the UFC 46 show. He should follow Loiseau’s lead to the U.S. and get some much needed international exposure. He may get Serra at UFC 48.
Franca/Vitor Ribeiro: It’s BJJ vs. BJJ and Vitor has expressed an interest in fighting in the UFC.
Franca/Josh Thomson: The controversial outcome of the initial meeting warrants a rematch. This could be your lightweight division title fight.
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