66 Facts About Jeremy Stephens

Jeremy Dean Stephens was born on May 26,1986 and is an American professional mixed martial artist, bare-knuckle boxer and professional boxer, who currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

When he was eight years old, Jeremy Stephens parents divorced and he constantly switched between schools while 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 Jeremy Stephens when he was in the fifth grade.

Jeremy Stephens attended Norwalk High School where he was a standout in baseball and wrestling, having returned to wrestling during his senior year.

Jeremy Stephens was introduced to mixed martial arts by his grandfather who had originally persuaded Jeremy Stephens to compete in wrestling.

At age 16, Jeremy Stephens began mixed martial arts as an amateur and began full-time training at the age of 18.

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

Jeremy Stephens 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 Stephens took on former trainer and friend Spencer Fisher.

Jeremy Stephens 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.

Jeremy Stephens next stepped in as a late replacement for Hermes Franca against Joe Lauzon on February 7,2009, at UFC Fight Night 17.

Jeremy Stephens was expected to return to the octagon on September 16,2009, at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs Guillard against UFC newcomer Ronnys Torres.

Jeremy 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.

Jeremy Stephens was expected to face Nik Lentz on January 11,2010, at UFC Fight Night 20.

However, Jeremy Stephens suffered a cut and was forced to pull out of the fight.

Jeremy Stephens defeated Sam Stout via split decision on May 8,2010, at UFC 113.

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

Jeremy Stephens faced Marcus Davis on January 1,2011, at UFC 125.

Jeremy Stephens was expected to face Jonathan Brookins on June 4,2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.

Jeremy Stephens defeated Downes via unanimous decision after dominating all three rounds.

Jeremy Stephens faced Anthony Pettis on October 8,2011, at UFC 136.

Jeremy 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.

Jeremy Stephens was expected to face Yves Edwards on October 5,2012, at UFC on FX 5.

However, the bout was cancelled due to Jeremy Stephens being arrested on the day of the event for an assault charge that dates back to 2011.

Jeremy Stephens made his Featherweight debut against promotional newcomer Estevan Payan on May 25,2013, at UFC 160.

Jeremy Stephens was expected to face Rony Jason on October 9,2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.

Jeremy Stephens faced Darren Elkins on January 25,2014, at UFC on Fox 10.

Jeremy Stephens faced Cub Swanson on June 28,2014, at UFC Fight Night 44.

Jeremy Stephens next faced Charles Oliveira on December 12,2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.

Jeremy Stephens faced Dennis Bermudez on July 11,2015, at UFC 189.

Jeremy Stephens won the fight by TKO due to a flying knee and punches after a close first two rounds.

Jeremy Stephens faced Max Holloway on December 12,2015, at UFC 194.

Jeremy Stephens faced former UFC Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao on May 29,2016, at UFC Fight Night 88.

Jeremy Stephens won the back and forth bout by unanimous decision.

Jeremy Stephens faced former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar on November 12,2016, at UFC 205.

Jeremy Stephens faced Renato Moicano on April 15,2017, at UFC on Fox 24.

Jeremy Stephens faced Gilbert Melendez on September 9,2017, at UFC 215.

Jeremy Stephens faced Doo Ho Choi on January 14,2018, at UFC Fight Night: Jeremy Stephens vs Choi.

Jeremy Stephens won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Jeremy Stephens faced Josh Emmett on February 24,2018, at UFC on Fox 28.

Jeremy Stephens won the fight via knockout in round two.

Jeremy Stephens next faced former WEC Featherweight Champion and 2-time UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, on July 28,2018, at UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs Poirier 2.

Jeremy Stephens lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Jeremy Stephens faced Zabit Magomedsharipov on March 2,2019, at UFC 235.

Jeremy Stephens faced Yair Rodriguez on September 21,2019, in the main event at UFC on ESPN+ 17.

Jeremy Stephens faced Yair Rodriguez in a rematch on October 18,2019, at UFC on ESPN 6.

Jeremy Stephens was scheduled to Calvin Kattar on April 18,2020, at UFC 249.

Jeremy Stephens was scheduled to face Arnold Allen on November 7,2020, at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs Teixeira.

However, Jeremy Stephens was forced to withdraw from the event, citing injury.

Jeremy Stephens was expected to return to the lightweight division for the first one since 2012 to face Drakkar Klose at UFC on ESPN 22.

Jeremy Stephens faced Mateusz Gamrot on July 17,2021, at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs Moises.

Jeremy Stephens lost the fight via submission in round one.

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

Jeremy Stephens faced Myles Price on June 17,2022, at PFL 4.

Jeremy Stephens faced Natan Schulte on November 25,2022, at PFL 10.

Jeremy Stephens lost the bout in the second round, getting submitted by arm-triangle choke.

On December 11,2024, it was announced that Jeremy Stephens was signed by Global Fight League.

Jeremy Stephens made his return to the UFC in a bout against former Cage Warriors Lightweight and Welterweight Champion Mason Jones in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa on May 3,2025 at UFC on ESPN 67.

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

Jeremy Stephens faced Bobby Taylor on September 6,2024 at BKFC 65.

Jeremy Stephens faced Eddie Alvarez at BKFC Knucklemania 5 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA on January 25,2025.

Jeremy Stephens scored two knockdowns and won the fight via third-round TKO, as Alvarez was not able to return for the fourth round.

Jeremy Stephens has two daughters and is a good friend of former UFC Fighter Anton Kuivanen.

Jeremy 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 Jeremy Stephens was supposed to fight at UFC on FX: Browne vs Bigfoot, Jeremy Stephens was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after Minneapolis PD served an arrest warrant.

Jeremy Stephens was charged with felony assault and burglary, stemming from an incident that took place in Des Moines, Iowa, in 2011.

Jeremy Stephens was then extradited to the Polk County jail where he was incarcerated for 15 days before being released.