UFC veteran Jeremy Stevens discusses his surprising comeback to the octagon.
In the wee hours of May 4th, UFC on ESPN 67 will light up American De-Moine, with Cory Sandhagen versus Deiveson Figueiredo taking center stage. Kicking off the main card is a spirited lightweight battle between Jeremy Stephens and Mason Jones. Prior to this comeback, Stephens sat down for an interview with MMA Fighting, revealing the story behind his return to the UFC:
"Contrary to rumors, I wasn't canned by UFC. I took a leap of faith to test the waters beyond the organization. Sure, there was some static, but I parted ways amicably with Dana White."
Stephens further shared: "I was in Des Moines – for business and family visits. The city was abuzz with excitement, people saying, "You should be on this tournament!" I said, "I chatted with Uncle Dana". And on my departure day, he reached out, saying, "Hey man, I didn't have your number; been wanting to get in touch. Hunter will contact you".
It was a whirlwind. Yet, it makes sense – decades of grind, connections, experience. They handed me a fight – not just any fight, an attractive offer. I'll lay another beating right at home. It's fueling even more anticipation. I'm staying active, just like I wanted. "
Worth noting, Stephens' last UFC bout took place in 2021, resulting in a loss to Mateusz Gamrot in the opening round. Following this, he faced a mixed bag of results in PFL and became a sensation in BKFC, earning three victories.
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Here's some background on Jeremy Stephens' departure from UFC, his recent run in PFL, and his victorious stint in BKFC:
The Backstory leading to Exit from UFC
- Final UFC Fight: Jeremy Stephens (29-21, 1NC) exited the organization after a five-fight losing streak, with his last UFC fight being a submission loss to Mateusz Gamrot [1][2].
- Post-UFC Journey: After leaving UFC, Stephens ventured into PFL, where he managed a 1-2 record, before transitioning to Bare Knuckle FC (BKFC) [1][3].
Revival in BKFC
- BKFC Triumphs: In BKFC, Stephens experienced a resurgence, boasting an unbeaten streak of 3 wins. His notable victories include former UFC veterans Eddie Alvarez and Jimmie Rivera [1][3].
- KnuckleMania V: At KnuckleMania V, Stephens claimed a sensational victory against Eddie Alvarez, highlighting his prowess in the bareknuckle world. Yet, this achievement didn't deter him from aiming for a UFC return [1].
Back to the UFC Stage
- Reason for Return: Stephens sought a comeback to the UFC for the thrilling chance to compete in his hometown during the promotion's inaugural event in Des Moines, Iowa. He sees this fight as an essential stepping stone towards loftier aspirations within the organization [1][2].
- Upcoming Battle: He is all set to face off against Mason Jones at UFC Des Moines on May 3, 2025. Stephens views this encounter as a temporary pit stop on his path towards achieving even more significant milestones in the UFC [1][3].
In essence, Stephens' trip back to the UFC is a testament to his devotion to his hometown and his ambition to pursue loftier objectives within the organization.
Jeremy Stephens, who had a brief stint outside UFC, revealed that bookmakers offered him an attractive sports deal following his encounter in Des Moine, where he discussed his potential participation in the tournament. Stephens, while reminiscing about his past experiences, also shared that UFC bookmaker Dana White reached out to him to discuss a return fight, which he accepted amicably. Despite his loss to Mateusz Gamrot in his last UFC bout in 2021, Stephens is now back in UFC and preparing for his fight against Mason Jones at UFC on ESPN 67, set to take place in American De-Moine.
