Former UFC competitor Jeremy Stephens is set to make his return to the promotion after nearly four years away.
Jeremy Stephens’ Post-Company Run
Entering the Octagon for what seemed to be the final time in 2021, Jeremy Stephens battled current lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot at UFC on ESPN 26, losing by kimura in the first round. The defeat was the fifth in a row for the Iowa native, leading the organization to not renew his contract, ending his nearly 15-year stay in the UFC.
Now a free agent, Jeremy Stephens chose to sign with what is considered to be the second biggest MMA brand in the world, the PFL. Joining them in 2022, “Lil Heathen” was matched up with fellow striking wizard Clay Collard at that season’s PFL 1. Outmatched by the younger fighter, Stephens wound up losing his promotional debut by unanimous decision.
From here, he would go a middling 1-1 in his next two bouts under the PFL banner, with his only victory coming in a split decision triumph over Myles Price, his first since 2018.
Jeremy Stephens Turns To Boxing and Eventually BKFC
Taking a break from the cage, Stephens next traded his MMA gloves for a pair of boxing ones, competing in a couple of high-profile matches in 2023. Heading into his freshman outing in the square circle, he faced off with former UFC featherweight icon José Aldo at Gamebred Boxing 4, taking the previous seven-time defending champion the distance with a majority draw.
He then fought on the popular Paul vs. Diaz card later in the year, dropping a unanimous decision to the undefeated Chris Avila.
Where Jeremy Stephens truly shined the most in his post-UFC career was when he made the decision to sign up with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in late 2023. Staying with the company for over a year, he racked up an impressive 3-0 record, consisting of two stoppage wins against other multi-combat sports veterans like Jimmie Rivera and Eddie Alvarez.
Jeremy Stephens Returns Home to UFC
Despite being tied to a potential contest in the quickly growing Global Fight League, it was suddenly announced that Stephens would be fighting in the UFC once more at UFC Fight Night 256 on May 3, where he will collide with top Welsh prospect Mason Jones.
From 2021 to 2022, Jones had also competed in the UFC following a superb run in Cage Warriors, capturing both their lightweight and welterweight championships. His tenure in the global leader in MMA didn’t play out as amazing, as “The Dragon” going a lackluster 1-2-1NC. Going back to Cage Warriors in 2023, Jones scored four back-to-back victories, including three knockout finishes.
