As my old boss used to preach, “It pays to act like a professional.” For UFC lightweight Yves Edwards (Pictured), his professional behavior throughout Friday’s drama with Jeremy Stephens will earn him a paycheck – despite the fact he didn’t have to step inside the Octagon.
Edwards was slated to face Stephens, but their scrap was put in jeopardy after Stephens was arrested several hours before showtime. UFC president Dana White worked relentlessly to keep their tango intact, though he was ultimately forced to pull the plug when the Des Moines Police Department wouldn’t play ball.
“Yves Edwards was told 35 minutes before the main event that his fight wasn’t on,” White revealed during the post-fight press conference. “That kid was wrapped up, warmed up and ready to fight. He’s old school. It’s guys like Yves Edwards that have built this sport to what it is today.
“It’s an honor to be in business with a guy like Yves Edwards. Some of these new guys, ‘Oh, my head’s all [expletive] up. I can’t take this fight now.’ Yves Edwards was in that locker room ready to fight.”
Was White taking yet another dig at UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones? I thought that hatchet was buried? Anyway…
Because the veteran of 60 fights displayed such professionalism, White will do everything in his power to make sure Edwards is rewarded and compensated accordingly.
“He’ll be paid his show money and we’ll get him a fight,” White stated. “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.”
Edwards earned $16,000 in January’s loss to Tony Ferguson. So “Thugjitsu Master” will pocket at least that amount for his troubles.
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October 05, 2012
