Jeremy Stephens, soon to grace the UFC lightweight division once again, recently unveiled the motivations behind his decision to rejoin the organization, as well as the specifics of his new contract.
### Jeremy Stephens’ Wife Lends a Hand in Securing New UFC Deal
Scheduled to step back into the octagon on May 3rd at UFC Fight Night 256, Jeremy Stephens will make his highly anticipated comeback in Des Moines, Iowa, against European standout Mason Jones at the Wells Fargo Arena. This event is a notable milestone for the UFC, marking both their inaugural show in Iowa and their first return to the state in 25 years. While Stephens likely would have pursued a spot on the card regardless, it was a particular family member who added a touch of inspiration to his journey.
In a chat with Ariel Helwani, the fighter known as “Lil’ Heathen” shared how his matchup against Jones came to fruition. “My wife had a role to play in this, and it all started on her birthday, just before I visited my mom and family in Iowa,” Stephens recalled. She cleverly suggested, ‘Why not shoot Dana [White] a text?’ especially after the Iowa card was announced, not long after I’d been fighting in bare-knuckle.”
He continued, “I told her, ‘You craft the message, and I’ll be the one to send it.’ So, Tuesday night, before my flight to Des Moines, I fired off the text just as I was boarding and then switched my phone off to enjoy my week in Des Moines.”
### The Wait is Over: A Response from Dana
While in Iowa, Stephens had yet to hear back. But then, an unexpected surprise arrived. “I woke up on my uncle’s couch at four in the morning to head back to San Diego and found a message from Dana sent at 1:00 AM. He said, ‘Hey man, I lost my phone contacts,’ and ‘I’ve been trying to get hold of you. Please, give me your number—Hunter will be in touch soon,’” Stephens explained.
### A Brief Return to the UFC
Rejoining the UFC, especially after a significant break, is no small feat. Having departed the organization in 2021 following a five-fight losing streak, Stephens explored other avenues like PFL and BKFC, where he clinched three consecutive victories.
While he’s thrilled about his UFC return, Stephens unveiled that he’s only signed on for a single fight, hinting at a future return to bare-knuckle boxing. “This is a one-and-done deal,” Stephens remarked. “I’m banking on myself to make a strong impression. I envision myself returning to bare-knuckle, maybe facing Mike Perry or another big name. But if new opportunities arise in the UFC, I’m open to that too. No worries on this end,” he concluded with a laid-back confidence.
