Jeremy Stephens

Jeremy Stephens (born May 26, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist, bare-knuckle boxer and professional boxer, who competes in the Lightweight division. A professional since 2005, he spent 15 years and competed in 33 bouts in the UFC's Featherweight and Lightweight divisions and also spent time in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Background
Stephens was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 26, 1986, and came from a broken home. When he was eight years old, Stephens parents divorced and he constantly switched between schools while also living in various apartments, shelters, and even in his mother's car before moving to Norwalk, Iowa, with his father, who was granted custody of Stephens when he was in the fifth grade. Growing up, Stephens played baseball, basketball, and also competed in wrestling. Stephens attended Norwalk High School where he was a standout in baseball and wrestling, having returned to wrestling during his senior year. Stephens was introduced to mixed martial arts by his grandfather who had also originally persuaded Stephens to compete in wrestling. While beginning his career in mixed martial arts, Stephens looked up to and later became friends with fellow Des Moines native Josh Neer.

Early career
At age 16, Stephens began mixed martial arts as an amateur and began full-time training at the age of 18. Stephens was the UGC and MCC Lightweight Champion.

2007
Stephens was defeated via second round armbar submission in his UFC debut against veteran Din Thomas at UFC 71 on May 26, 2007.

His first win in the UFC was against Diego Saraiva at UFC 76 via unanimous decision.

2008
Jeremy then scored his second win inside the Octagon after beating Cole Miller via second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 12.

At the finale of The Ultimate Fighter 7, Jeremy took on former trainer and friend Spencer Fisher. Stephens lost via unanimous decision.

After the loss he rebounded with an emphatic come from behind knockout victory over BJJ black belt and future UFC Lightweight Champion, Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 91. He was out-grappled the first two rounds but in the third came out swinging and landed a huge uppercut on dos Anjos that knocked him unconscious. This win earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

2009
Stephens next stepped in as a late replacement for Hermes Franca against Joe Lauzon on February 7, 2009, at UFC Fight Night 17. Lauzon defeated Stephens with an armbar late in the second round.

Then on April 1, 2009, at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs Kampmann, Stephens was out-wrestled by Gleison Tibau and lost his second straight fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens was expected to return to the octagon on September 16, 2009, at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard against UFC newcomer Ronnys Torres. However, Torres sustained an injury during training and was replaced by Justin Buchholz. Stephens defeated Buchholz after landing several big strikes and opening up a deep gash on Buchholz's forehead, forcing the doctor to stop the fight midway through the first round. This win earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

2010
Stephens was expected to face Nik Lentz on January 11, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 20. However, Stephens suffered a cut and was forced to pull out of the fight.

Stephens defeated Sam Stout via split decision on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113. He won the fight via split decision. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Stephens lost to Melvin Guillard on September 25, 2010, at UFC 119 via split decision.

2011
Stephens faced Marcus Davis on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125. After likely losing the first two rounds, Stephens then came out more aggressive in the third round and caught Davis with a counter punch resulting in a KO win. This win earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

Stephens was expected to face Jonathan Brookins on June 4, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale. However, Brookins was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Danny Downes. Stephens defeated Downes via unanimous decision after dominating all three rounds.

Stephens faced Anthony Pettis on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136. Pettis defeated Stephens via split decision (29-28, 28–29, 29-28).

2012
Stephens replaced an injured Yves Edwards against Donald Cerrone on May 15, 2012, at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens was expected to face Yves Edwards on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5. However, the bout was cancelled due to Stephens being arrested on the day of the event for an assault charge that dates back to 2011. The fight eventually took place on December 8, 2012, at UFC on Fox 5. Edwards won by knockout in the first round, being the first fighter to ever stop Stephens via strikes.

2013
Stephens made his Featherweight debut against promotional newcomer Estevan Payan on May 25, 2013, at UFC 160. He won the bloody fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens was expected to face Rony Jason on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29. However, Jason pulled out of the bout citing an injury (lumbar hernia). The bout eventually took place on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32. Stephens won via knockout early in the first round.

2014
Stephens faced Darren Elkins on January 25, 2014, at UFC on Fox 10. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens faced Cub Swanson on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 44. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Stephens next faced Charles Oliveira on December 12, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

2015
Stephens faced Dennis Bermudez on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189. He won the fight by TKO due to a flying knee and punches after a close first two rounds.

Stephens faced Max Holloway on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2016
Stephens faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barão on May 29, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 88. He won the back and forth bout by unanimous decision. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors for their performance.

Stephens faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

2017
Stephens faced Renato Moicano on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24. He lost the fight by split decision.

Stephens faced Gilbert Melendez on September 9, 2017, at UFC 215. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors for their performance.

2018
Stephens faced Doo Ho Choi on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.

Stephens faced Josh Emmett on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28. He won the fight via knockout in round two. This win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.

Stephens next faced former WEC Featherweight Champion and 2-time UFC Featherweight Champion José Aldo, on July 28, 2018, at UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

2019
Stephens faced Zabit Magomedsharipov on March 2, 2019, at UFC 235. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens faced Yair Rodríguez on September 21, 2019, in the main event at UFC on ESPN+ 17. The bout ended in a "No Contest" just 15 seconds into the first round after Rodríguez accidentally swatted Stephens in the left eye, rendering Stephens unable to continue.

Stephens faced Yair Rodríguez in a rematch on October 18, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 6. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

2020
Stephens was scheduled to Calvin Kattar on April 18, 2020, at UFC 249. However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed and the bout eventually took place on May 9, 2020. At the weigh-ins on May 8, Stephens missed weight, weighing in at 150.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds over the non-title featherweight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded as a catchweight bout and Stephens was fined 20% of his purse. Despite having success and out-striking Kattar in the first round, Stephens lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Stephens was scheduled to face Arnold Allen on November 7, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira. However, Stephens was forced to withdraw from the event, citing injury.

2021
Stephens was expected to return to the lightweight division for the first one since 2012 to face Drakkar Klose at UFC on ESPN 22. However, day of the event, it was announced that the bout was scrapped due to Klose sustaining a spinal injury as a result of being shoved by Stephens at the weigh-ins.

Stephens faced Mateusz Gamrot on July 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés. He lost the fight via submission in round one.

2022
In late-January 2022, it was announced that after a nearly 15 year tenure and 33 fights in the UFC, Stephens contract was not renewed after his most recent fight for the promotion.

Professional Fighters League
After his contract was not renewed by the UFC, Stephens signed with PFL for the 2022 season to compete in their Lightweight division.

In his promotional debut, Stephens faced Clay Collard on April 23, 2022, at PFL 1. In a back and forth affair, Stephens lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Stephens faced Myles Price on June 17, 2022, at PFL 4. He won the bout via split decision.

Stephens faced Natan Schulte on November 25, 2022, at PFL 10. Stephens lost the bout in the second round, getting submitted by arm-triangle choke.

Stephens vs. Aldo
On April 1, 2023, Stephens made his professional boxing debut against Brazilian mixed martial artist José Aldo on the undercard of Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anthony Pettis at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wilwaukee. The bout ended via majority draw.

Stephens vs. Avila
On June 21, 2023, it was announced that Stephens would face American mixed martial artist Chris Avila on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz at the American Airlines Center in Dallas,Texas. Avila missed weight (170lbs) and will be fined a percentage of his purse. Avila defeated Stephens via unanimous decision.

Bare-knuckle boxing
Stephens faced Jimmie Rivera on December 2, 2023, at BKFC 56 and won by TKO due to doctor stoppage.

Personal life
Stephens is of Mexican descent maternally. He has two daughters and is a good friend of former UFC Fighter Anton Kuivanen. Stephens has spoken about how self-doubt has affected his life and how his failures have led to suicidal thoughts in the past.

On October 5, 2012, the date Stephens was supposed to fight at UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot, Stephens was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Minneapolis PD served an arrest warrant. Stephens was charged with felony assault and burglary, stemming from an incident that took place in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2011. Stephens was then extradited to the Polk County jail where he was incarcerated for 15 days before being released. Most of the charges, however, were eventually dropped, and Stephens pled guilty to one count of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Knockout of the Night (Three times) vs. Rafael dos Anjos, Justin Buchholz, and Marcus Davis
 * Fight of the Night (Six times) vs. Renan Barão, Cub Swanson, Sam Stout, Gilbert Melendez, Choi Doo-ho and Yair Rodríguez
 * Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Josh Emmett
 * Tied (Anderson Silva) for second most knockdowns in UFC history (18)
 * Second most knockdowns in UFC Featherweight division history (11)
 * Sixth most bouts in UFC history (34)
 * Tied (Clay Guida & Andrei Arlovski) for most losses in UFC history (18)
 * MMAJunkie.com
 * 2014 June Fight of the Month vs. Cub Swanson
 * 2019 October Fight of the Month vs. Yair Rodríguez