By the Numbers: Fabian Edwards vs. Mike Shipman

Mark RaymundoNov 21, 2019


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Looking every bit a threat at middleweight, unbeaten Fabian Edwards has swept all three of his opponents this year. He hopes to close out 2019 with a victory over fellow prospect Mike Shipman. It’s a battle of fight-finishing Englishmen as Edwards and Shipman collide at the SSE Arena in Wembley for Bellator London. Check out the numbers below and see who may have the upper hand come fight day.

Bellator appearances

Shipman first fought in Bellator on July 16, 2016, tapping out Dom Clark at Bellator 158. He then knocked out Marcin Prostko before moving to BAMMA. He returned to Bellator with a spectacular 10-second TKO of Carl Noon at the landmark Bellator 200. After that, he beat Scott Futrell and lost to Costello van Steenis for an overall Bellator record of 4-1.

It's probably unknown to many, but Edwards actually made his pro debut at Bellator way back May 19, 2017, at Bellator 179. He then wreaked havoc in BAMMA with four finishes in as many fights. In February, he returned to Bellator with a decision victory over Lee Chadwick, after which he beat Falco Neto Lopes and Jonathan Bosuku to bring his Bellator record to 4-0.

Finishing rate

Of Edwards’ eight wins, six have been stoppages. He carries three wins by KO or TKO and another three by submission, making for a 76 percent finishing rate. Shipman, on the other hand, owns eight triumphs by KO or TKO and five by submission. That’s an impressive 100 percent stoppage rate for the London Shootfighters standout.

First-round finishes

Both Edwards and Shipman have a penchant for finishing fights early. After losing to Aaron Brett in his pro debut, Shipman earned two straight first-round stoppages. He has gone on to pick up eight more, including two in Bellator competition. In all, he owns 10 victories inside the first round.

As for Edwards, he started his pro career with a spectacular flying knee KO of Rafal Cejrowski to end the fight at 3:44 of the first round. He had four more first-round finishes after that, including one where he threw a devastating body kick that landed flush into the midsection of Claudio Conti. This was his last fight in BAMMA, after which he was re-signed by Bellator.

Fights by decision

Shipman has never reached a decision in his entire career. Even his two losses ended via stoppage. Edwards, for his part, isn’t too fond of waiting for the final bell either. Of his eight professional fights, only two lasted three full rounds. These were his decision victories over Lee Chadwick at Bellator Newcastle and Jonathan Bosuku at Bellator 223.

Career losses

Edwards has never experienced being on the losing end of a professional fight, whereas Shipman has been defeated twice – in his first pro fight, where he was knocked out by Aaron Brett, and in his most recent bout, where he was starched by Costello van Steenis.