UFC Veteran’s Shock Re-signing
- Jeremy Stephens, a seasoned veteran of the sport, is set to make his return to the Octagon.
- The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is heading to Des Moines, Iowa, on May 3 at Wells Fargo Arena.
- To mark this special occasion, the UFC has re-signed Jeremy Stephens, a 38-year-old veteran with 51 professional fights under his belt.
Jeremy Stephens Returns to UFC for Des Moines Showdown Against Mason Jones
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The UFC is bringing back a familiar face! Jeremy Stephens, a seasoned veteran of the sport, is set to make his return to the Octagon.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is heading to Des Moines, Iowa, on May 3 at Wells Fargo Arena. This marks the first time in 25 years that the premier MMA promotion has held an event in Iowa.
To mark this special occasion, the UFC has re-signed Jeremy Stephens, a 38-year-old veteran with 51 professional fights under his belt. stephens will face Mason Jones in a highly anticipated lightweight bout. Jones is also a re-signed lightweight prospect.
Jeremy Stephens’ UFC Return
The UFC officially announced Stephens’ return, adding even more excitement to their Iowa event.
The May 3 card is already stacked, headlined by a bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Additionally, rising middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is slated to face reinier de Ridder.
However, many fans are especially excited about the return of Jeremy Stephens to the UFC.
stephens expressed his enthusiasm on Instagram, stating, ”This one’s for the hometown, 5-1-5 LFG.” He also gave a “shoutout @danawhite , Hunter Campbell, @ufc,” and added, ”Time to put on a show at the @wellsfargoarena_ia , YOU DONT WANNA MISS THIS ONE!! MAY 3RD!!”
What Has Jeremy stephens Been Up To?
Stephens, known as ‘Lil’ Heathen,’ departed from the UFC after a submission loss to Mateusz Gamrot in July 2021.
Following his UFC exit, Stephens joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he had a 1-2 record. He then transitioned to boxing.
His boxing career saw mixed results. In 2023, he fought Jose Aldo to a draw before losing to Chris Avila via unanimous decision.
Stephens found success in Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC), securing two victories against Jimmie River and Bobby Taylor.
In January, Stephens achieved a significant win by defeating former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez via TKO, breaking Alvarez’s jaw in the process.
Following this victory, Conor McGregor mentioned Stephens as a potential opponent for his own BKFC debut.
Despite these opportunities, the chance to compete in the UFC in his hometown proved too compelling for Stephens to decline. The Des Moines crowd is sure to be electric on May 3rd.
Here’s a Q&A-style article about Jeremy Stephens’ return to the UFC, incorporating information from the provided article and supplementing it with details from the web search result:
Jeremy Stephens Returns to UFC: Your Questions Answered
Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens is making his comeback to the UFC after a hiatus! Here’s everything you need to know about his return, his opponent, and what he’s been up to:
Q: When and where is Jeremy Stephens’ next UFC fight?
A: jeremy Stephens will fight on May 3rd in Des Moines, Iowa at the Wells Fargo Arena. This marks the UFC’s first event in Iowa in 25 years, making it a special homecoming for stephens.
Q: Who is Jeremy Stephens fighting in his UFC return?
A: Stephens is scheduled to face mason Jones in a lightweight bout. Jones is also a re-signed lightweight, making this an intriguing matchup.
Q: Why is Jeremy Stephens returning to the UFC?
A: While other opportunities were available to him, including potential fights in BKFC, Stephens ultimately couldn’t resist the opportunity to compete in the UFC in his hometown of Des Moines. The chance to fight in front of a home crowd played a major role in his decision.
Q: How old is Jeremy stephens?
A: Jeremy Stephens is 38 years old.
Q: What weight class will Jeremy Stephens be fighting in?
A: Jeremy Stephens will be competing in the lightweight division (155 lbs) for this fight.
Q: When was the last time Jeremy Stephens fought in the UFC, and what was the result?
A: Stephens last fought in the UFC in July 2021, where he suffered a submission loss to Mateusz Gamrot.
Q: What did Jeremy Stephens do after leaving the UFC?
A: After his UFC departure, Stephens joined the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he had a 1-2 record. He than transitioned to boxing and later competed in Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC).
Q: What was Jeremy Stephens’ record in PFL?
A: Jeremy Stephens had a 1-2 record in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Q: How did Jeremy Stephens perform in boxing?
A: Stephens’ boxing career saw mixed results. He fought Jose Aldo to a draw in 2023 and lost to Chris Avila via unanimous decision.
Q: What were Jeremy Stephens’ accomplishments in Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC)?
A: Stephens found success in BKFC, securing two victories against Jimmie River and Bobby taylor. most notably, he defeated former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez via TKO in January, breaking Alvarez’s jaw in the process.
Q: Did Conor McGregor express interest in fighting Jeremy Stephens in BKFC?
A: Following Stephens’ victory over Eddie Alvarez, Conor McGregor mentioned Stephens as a potential opponent for his own BKFC debut.
Q: What are some other notable fights on the UFC card in Des Moines?
A: The May 3rd card is headlined by a bantamweight clash between Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Rising middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is also slated to face Reinier de Ridder.
Q: How can I watch Jeremy Stephens’ return fight?
A: The event will likely be available on ESPN+ and possibly on a regular ESPN channel.Check local listings for the most accurate broadcast information as the fight date approaches.