Issue 168

June 2018

Two knockouts in the first two months of 2018 brought Jeremy Stephens closer to the UFC title than ever.

*The following interview took place in 2018*

Jeremy Stephens

• UFC featherweight
• Age: 33
• Record: 46-28-17
• Team: Alliance MMA
• From: Des Moines, Iowa
• *stats as off 2019*

Even the most casual UFC fan has probably seen at least one of Jeremy Stephens’ greatest moments in the Octagon. It’s hard to believe ‘Lil Heathen’ is still only 31 seeing as he’s been throwing bombs at the highest level for more than 10 years on the biggest stages.

His breakout win came on the blockbuster UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar event – a colossal uppercut KO of future lightweight champion, Rafael dos Anjos. Another amazing knockout came on the monumental UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor show, where he destroyed Dennis Bermudez with a flying knee.

Just recently, the Iowa native kicked o the year with two wins in the first two months of 2018. First, he knocked out Doo Ho Choi in a Fight of the Night performance in January’s Fight Night in St Louis. Less than six weeks later, he was back at it in another main event on network television, beating Josh Emmett into oblivion on Fox to climb to fifth spot in the featherweight rankings.

After more than a decade of work, a long-awaited shot at the world title is within reach. When FO speaks to Stephens, he’s fresh off vacation and has a bout against Jose? Aldo in the works. The veteran who is still young and has more Ultimate Fighting Championship experience than almost anyone else could be about to make it count and claim the biggest reward out there...

Q. After the way you started 2018, do you feel like you’re one of the few fighters that will actually fight anyone, anywhere, at any time?

I feel like I’m a very rare breed – especially these days. I think there are fewer and fewer of us. I’m a real fighter’s type of fighter. I definitely have respect for everyone, but I feel like you’re right. It takes big balls.

Q. How long after the Choi fight were you offered the bout with Emmett?

On the Tuesday night [after the Choi fight], I was with my wife. We had an awesome dinner at our favorite sushi spot back in Des Moines, then I went over to my uncle’s house and started drinking brandy. I got the call from Dana and he said he had another great opportunity for me, another main event. I was like, ‘Cool, when? Let’s do it. Five-and-a half-weeks? Even better!’ It was a good opportunity, the right time, I was healthy and I was able to get it done. I went out the next day to San Diego and got back to work.

Q. Why do you think the UFC turned to you again so quickly?

I’ve been in the business a long time. Not many people can survive 11 years. If this was the Illuminati, I’d be part of the elite. They know the type of fighter I am. They know I bring it. That’s why they started o with me at UFC 189, or put me in a main event on Fox. The fans like my style of fighting. I believe in myself. No matter where you put me, people are going to show up when I fight. I’m a real fighter– a true fighter’s fighter.

Q. You’ve never seemed to take time off, despite being in the UFC for so long. Why is that?

I’m blessed by the good lord with good health. Health is the number one thing. I take a lot of time and money and I reinvest back into myself. I’ve learned about the human anatomy through fighting and going through the pain and the agony – but I’m really good at healing my body so I can go and do these types of things.

Q. Have you ever carried injuries into fights?

There have been times I’ve had my foot swollen or bumps and bruises, but nothing too major. I’ve had my good share of damage, but nothing where I’ve had to have surgery. I’ve been blessed. If I get a small injury, I’m on top of it. I don’t mess around when it comes to health because if we’re not healthy, you’re not able to go and do what you love. I love to do what I do and capitalize on every situation I can, doing things the right way. It’s OG experience.

Q. What do you think of fighters who stall and turn down fights in search of more ‘worthy’ opponents?

First of all, I don’t give a f**k about them. They ain’t paying my bills. The only thing I give two s**ts about is my health and my family.

I don’t see them feeding my kids or carrying my jockstrap. I don’t worry about those people. If you’ve got a fight, sign me up. I’m a gamer. Best of luck to them, they’re fighters, do your f**king job and I’ll see you around.

Q. As someone who always seems to take any opportunity, are you surprised they have that attitude?

You’ve got to be a serious dude. Only the elite can do that. You’ve got to shut your mouth, bite down and focus on doing things...

The latest ‘Lil Heathen’ run of form began last September, when he took an MMA legend to the woodshed. Former Strikeforce lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez, fell to a lopsided, 30-26, 30-26, 30-25, unanimous decision after taking severe blows from non-stop power shots. Though he tried to turn the fight into a toe-to-toe war, the damage was done and he couldn’t stand up to the offensive output.

Choi, too, could only last so long against a non-stop onslaught when Stephens went back to the Midwest in January. Though he made it to the second round, he got put down by a huge right hook, then an outrageously violent flurry of ground and pound. A lot of fighters say they go into the cage with intentions to kill, but he actually looks like he means it by throwing with such bad intentions.

Emmett actually had the power to put Stephens on the canvas in round one, but like Choi, he couldn’t stand up to the destruction that came his way less than five minutes later when the pair exchanged punches. He was blown backwards by a perfect left hook, then knocked out cold with a dynamite elbow.

As Stephens explains, his handiwork is a result of reconnecting with coach Eric Del Fierro at Alliance MMA in Chula Vista, California, and honing his skills to become the most dangerous version of himself we’ve seen...

Q. Did beating Melendez feel like the start of something big?

There’s nothing in my way, man. It started right before I got married, and, putting things together, I feel really good. I’ve got a ton of experience I can use to my advantage and good health. We’re ready for big things. By the end of this year, we’ll be fighting for the title or next in line.

Q. Were you excited to face guys like Choi and Emmett who would play into your style and you could have a war with?

They don’t have a choice. You can take me down but you’re not going to hold me there. You can hit me but you’re not going to land damage like me. I’m getting, better, sharper and more patient. I’m calm like a bomb where the aggression is key details. You try to take me down and I’ll knee your skull into the back of your head. If you duck I’ll uppercut you and you have to worry about the power I bring and the damage you’ll accumulate. Not only that, my cardio is vicious. You won’t outwork me. And now that we’re all-natural and no one’s taking steroids, that’s going to be a big problem for people that were. You’re seeing it more and more in the business. Now everybody’s on the same page, some people fall o , but I’m here to stay and I’m coming for it.

Q. You’re setting records and have moved up the ranks at 145lb – do you feel like you’re getting the recognition and reward you deserve from years of work?

I’m a man that really doesn’t like to be praised. I’m just having fun, I’m living my life and being me. This is my true self and the fact I’m going down in the history books...I always say my next one is my best one. Stay tuned. People ask what’s my favorite knockout, I say the next one. I don’t care about the past, I’m looking to the future. I’m passionate about this. I love getting up and training, getting after it, learning new techniques, being a leader and loving doing my job every day Would a fight with Jose? Aldo be the next best thing to a title shot?

Aldo or [Brian] Ortega – they both can get it. A Brazilian, American, Dominican... a Republican! Those two are the top now Max has taken this fight [with Khabib Nurmagomedov]... I love to fight.

I don’t have time to sit around and wait. It’s only a matter of time before I fight one of those guys. They’re at the top right now and we haven’t fought each other. These are possible matchups. I could fight both before the end of the year and I’m ready for the task. The contract’s already signed at my end.

Q. Looking back, was your “who the f**k is that guy” exchange with Conor McGregor a good thing for your career?

I think the media just love stuff like that. It was a good story. I think people would be like, damn, what f**king if that actually happened. That would be a f**king insane, incredible fight. You put me in there – a guy who’s willing to go after it and make that dude fall down after breathing real hard... Potentially, he could knock me out, I could knock him out, what could happen? I told you, when I knock people out, they don’t f**king move. This guy TKOs people. It would be an incredible build-up. What it? And it’s very possible. Let me take care of Aldo or Ortega by the end of this year. If he comes back and I can put myself in that situation, let’s roll. F**k a belt, it doesn’t matter, that would be the sickest fight ever and we’ll fight it out.

Q. You red back at him by Tweeting a picture with his mom. How did that happen?

I met her at the hotel. We were partying with Irish fans, who are some of the best fans in the f**king world. They’re crazy. They’ll buy your mom a shot, your dad a shot, your whole family a shot. They’re good people. One fan took me to get a shot with his wife and Conor’s mom and dad were there. They’re great people and I took a picture with them. Then I took a shot, went back to my room and passed out!