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Jeremy Stephens Returns to UFC for Des Moines Showdown
| Event Details | Description |
|---|---|
| UFC Event in Des Moines | The UFC is returning to Iowa for the first time in 25 years with a highly anticipated event on May 3. Dana White has brought back a fan favorite, Jeremy Stephens, a 51-fight veteran born and raised in Des Moines, to headline the show. |
| Headline Match | The main event features bantamweight contenders Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo. Middleweight prospect Bo Nickal will face his first ranked opponent, Reinier de Ridder. |
| Jeremy Stephens’ Return | Jeremy Stephens, nicknamed ‘Lil’ Heathen,’ is making a shock return to the Octagon. He will face lightweight prospect Mason Jones, who has also been recently re-signed by the UFC. |
| Jeremy Stephens’ Post-UFC Journey | After leaving the UFC following a first-round submission loss to Mateusz Gamrot in July 2021, Stephens joined the PFL and went 1-2. He then transitioned to boxing but struggled, fighting to a draw with Jose Aldo and losing to Chris Avila. |
| Bare Knuckle FC Success | Stephens found a new home in Bare Knuckle FC, where he went 2-0 in fights against Jimmie River and Bobby Taylor. In January, he broke Eddie Alvarez’s jaw in a brutal TKO victory, catching the attention of Conor McGregor, who named Stephens as a potential opponent for his BKFC debut. |
| Hometown Hero | Despite the allure of BKFC and potential high-profile fights, Stephens couldn’t resist the opportunity to fight in his hometown. He announced his return with a ‘Guess who’s back’ graphic on Instagram, expressing his excitement for the May 3 event at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. |