Jeremy Stephens
Lil' Heathen
USA
Drops decision in home town
Stephens lost to Mason Jones via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa.
ANALYSIS
Now 38 years old and competing in his home town, Stephens returned to the UFC for the first time since July 2021. He was the biggest underdog on the card at +455, and although he landed his fair share of damaging blows, Jeremy's inability to defend the takedown was his ultimate undoing. He allowed Jones to drag him to the mat on eight separate occasions. It's tough to win a three-round decision that way. It's hard to know what's next for Stephens. He's obviously getting up there in age, and there was no talk of him returning to the company prior to the announcement of this fight.
Now 38 years old and competing in his home town, Stephens returned to the UFC for the first time since July 2021. He was the biggest underdog on the card at +455, and although he landed his fair share of damaging blows, Jeremy's inability to defend the takedown was his ultimate undoing. He allowed Jones to drag him to the mat on eight separate occasions. It's tough to win a three-round decision that way. It's hard to know what's next for Stephens. He's obviously getting up there in age, and there was no talk of him returning to the company prior to the announcement of this fight.
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UFC return scheduled
Stephens is scheduled to compete against Mason Jones in a lightweight fight at UFC Des Moines on May 3, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Stephens is back with the UFC after a three-year absence. The now 38-year-old signed with the PFL in 2022, a year during which he went 1-2. Stephens sent 2023 professionally boxing before transitioning to bare-knuckle just before the following year. Before re-signing with the UFC, he went 3-0 in bare-knuckle boxing, the last of his three wins a TKO to one of the promotion's former lightweight champions in Eddie Alvarez. Like the aforementioned Stephens, his next opponent has also not logged a UFC fight in years. However, Jones has kept himself busy with MMA promotion Cage Warriors, going 4-0 with three TKOs before he also re-signed with the UFC.
Stephens is back with the UFC after a three-year absence. The now 38-year-old signed with the PFL in 2022, a year during which he went 1-2. Stephens sent 2023 professionally boxing before transitioning to bare-knuckle just before the following year. Before re-signing with the UFC, he went 3-0 in bare-knuckle boxing, the last of his three wins a TKO to one of the promotion's former lightweight champions in Eddie Alvarez. Like the aforementioned Stephens, his next opponent has also not logged a UFC fight in years. However, Jones has kept himself busy with MMA promotion Cage Warriors, going 4-0 with three TKOs before he also re-signed with the UFC.
Headed to PFL
Stephens has signed with the PFL and will compete in the lightweight division in 2022, Mike Bohn of MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Stephens has one of the most impressive MMA resumes in terms of caliber of opponents faced, but the results simply haven't been there of late. After going winless in his past six UFC bouts, he'll now shift to the PFL, with his sights set on the $1 million top prize awarded at the end of the season. It's unclear what exactly this year's 155-pound division looks like quite yet, but last season, Raush Manfio took home the belt with a win over Loik Radzhabov in a division that also included semi-finalists Clay Collard and Alexander Martinez. Stephens will now look to work his way into that mix at the age of 35.
Stephens has one of the most impressive MMA resumes in terms of caliber of opponents faced, but the results simply haven't been there of late. After going winless in his past six UFC bouts, he'll now shift to the PFL, with his sights set on the $1 million top prize awarded at the end of the season. It's unclear what exactly this year's 155-pound division looks like quite yet, but last season, Raush Manfio took home the belt with a win over Loik Radzhabov in a division that also included semi-finalists Clay Collard and Alexander Martinez. Stephens will now look to work his way into that mix at the age of 35.
No longer with UFC
Stephens is no longer a UFC fighter after his contract ran out late last year, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
It's no surprise to see that Stephens' contract wasn't renewed, as he failed to win any of his final six UFC fights. The 35-year-old had been with the promotion since 2007 and had several solid runs, but he's clearly past his peak.
It's no surprise to see that Stephens' contract wasn't renewed, as he failed to win any of his final six UFC fights. The 35-year-old had been with the promotion since 2007 and had several solid runs, but he's clearly past his peak.
Winless in past six fights
Stephens lost to Mateusz Gamrot via submission (kimura) at 1:05 of Round 1 at UFC on ESPN 26 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Stephens has had 34 career UFC bouts and been the company since May 2007, but it would be one of the greatest upsets in mixed martial arts history if he is given the opportunity for fight No. 35. The 35-year-old veteran has now lost three bouts in a row and is winless in his last six (0-5, 1NC) fights dating back to July 2018. This loss was the most concerning of the bunch, as Stephens was immediately forced to the mat by Gamrot and found himself tapping out just moments later. Stephens has been a good solider and fought the best the sport has to offer for well over a decade, but it appears as if the gas tank has finally hit empty. It was a great run.
Stephens has had 34 career UFC bouts and been the company since May 2007, but it would be one of the greatest upsets in mixed martial arts history if he is given the opportunity for fight No. 35. The 35-year-old veteran has now lost three bouts in a row and is winless in his last six (0-5, 1NC) fights dating back to July 2018. This loss was the most concerning of the bunch, as Stephens was immediately forced to the mat by Gamrot and found himself tapping out just moments later. Stephens has been a good solider and fought the best the sport has to offer for well over a decade, but it appears as if the gas tank has finally hit empty. It was a great run.
Matchup with Gamrot on tap
Stephens (28-18-0, 1 NC) is scheduled to face Mateusz Gamrot (18-1-0) in a lightweight fight at the UFC's July 17 event, Farah Hannoun and Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
For the first time since 2013, Stephens will be fighting as a lightweight as he looks to put an end to his ongoing losing streak. The 34-year-old hasn't won in any of his last five fights, going 0-4 with a no contest. Gamrot, meanwhile, will be looking to keep his momentum going after he notched his first UFC win in April, when he knocked out Scott Holtzman in the second round.
For the first time since 2013, Stephens will be fighting as a lightweight as he looks to put an end to his ongoing losing streak. The 34-year-old hasn't won in any of his last five fights, going 0-4 with a no contest. Gamrot, meanwhile, will be looking to keep his momentum going after he notched his first UFC win in April, when he knocked out Scott Holtzman in the second round.