» Fighter: Per Eklund

Few lightweight mixed martial artists have been where Yves Edwards (36-15-1) has been and are still strapping on four-ounce gloves.  Edwards has fought champions, and been written-off as washed up.  He’s fought around the world and in most major MMA promotions since 1997.  And, now Edwards will ride a two-fight win streak into Maximum Fighting Championship in Edmonton February 26.

Edwards TKO’d Kyle Jensen (36-11-2) at Raging Wolf V October 10 and tapped James Warfield (1-1) in a triangle choke at Shine 2 September 4, both intense performances for the veteran who has recommitted himself at American Top Team to returning to the top of the lightweight division.

Read More About MMA Fighter Yves Edwards Streaks into Maximum Fighting Championship…

Swedish lightweight Per Eklund (14-3-1) tapped Frenchman “Dog” Samy Schiavo (10-6) in a rear naked choke at 1:47 of the third round at UFC 89 in Birmingham Saturday night.

But, “The Dog” bit early!  Schiavo dropped Eklund with a big right hand early in round one and landed another in the second round as Eklund closed the distance to take the fight to the mat.

Eklund shook both punches off.  After the direct hit in the second-round, Eklund pulled Schivao to the mat and took his back; but, Schiavo swept to top position and ended the round landing periodic shots from the top position.

“I came into the fight too relaxed,” Eklund admitted.  “I was kind of a slow starter.  I felt he was going at me really hard and I just felt, ‘I’m going to let him go.  In the second round, he going to get tired.’”

Eklund wasted no time taking Schiavo back to the mat to begin round three; and, Schiavo, confident from the encounter in the second round, rolled to his stomach.  But, Eklund leashed his arm around “The Dog’s” neck and forced the tap.

The “W” is Eklund’s first in the Octagon, while Schiavo has come up short in both of his UFC fights.

“I twisted my ankle in the first round,” Eklund compained after the fight.  “I twisted it quite early.  I don’t know who…I mean, how.”

All UFC 89 fighters made their weight today at the NIA for Saturday’s card in Birmingham.

“Count” Michael Bisping (16-1) 185 pounds v “Crippler” Chris Leben (18-4) 186 pounds

“I’m glad you guys let me into your country,” main event fighter Leben said at Thursday’s press conference.  “I was a little worried on the plane.”

Leben was originally scheduled to fight Bisping in London 7 June, but opted to put to rest legal issues in Oregon stemming from an earlier DUI arrest to ensure a legal UK visa.

But, the pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Brit Bisping, who told the press, “I am on a quest.  Losing this fight for me is not an option.”

Leben, wearing tight cornrows, chided his opponent, saying, “It seems to me that, when Michael Bisping fights, self-preservation is top on his list.”

A brawl would certainly benefit Leben.  Bisping’s stand-up style is a bit more circle-and-poke, while Leben is happy to plant and throw bombs.

Read More About UFC 89: Bisping & Leben Make Weight…