Mixed martial arts career

Early career

At age 16, Stephens began mixed martial arts as an amateur and began full-time training at the age of 18. Stephens was the UGC and MCC Lightweight Champion.^[6]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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

His first win in the UFC was against Diego Saraiva at UFC 76 via unanimous decision.

Jeremy 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 took on former trainer and friend Spencer Fisher. Stephens lost via unanimous decision.

After the loss he rebounded with an emphatic come from behind knockout victory over BJJ black belt and future UFC Lightweight Champion, Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 91. He 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. This win earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

Stephens next stepped in as a late replacement for Hermes Franca against Joe Lauzon on February 7, 2009 at UFC Fight Night 17. Lauzon defeated Stephens with an armbar late in the second round.

Then on April 1, 2009 at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs Kampmann, Stephens was out-wrestled by Gleison Tibau and lost his second straight fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens was expected to return to the octagon on September 16, 2009, at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard against UFC newcomer Ronnys Torres. However, Torres sustained an injury during training and was replaced by Justin Buchholz. 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. This win earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

Stephens was expected to face Nik Lentz on January 11, 2010, at UFC Fight Night 20.^[7] However, Stephens suffered a cut and was forced to pull out of the fight.

Stephens defeated Sam Stout via split decision on May 8, 2010, at UFC 113. He won the fight via split decision. This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Stephens lost to Melvin Guillard on September 25, 2010, at UFC 119^[8] via split decision.

Stephens faced Marcus Davis on January 1, 2011, at UFC 125. After likely losing the first two rounds, Stephens then came out more aggressive in the third round and caught Davis with a counter punch resulting in a KO win. This win earned him the Knockout of the Night award.

Stephens was expected to face Jonathan Brookins on June 4, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale.^[9] However, Brookins was forced from the bout with an injury and replaced by Danny Downes.^[10] Stephens defeated Downes via unanimous decision after dominating all three rounds.

Stephens faced Anthony Pettis on October 8, 2011, at UFC 136.^[11] Pettis defeated Stephens via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Stephens replaced an injured Yves Edwards against Donald Cerrone on May 15, 2012 at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier^[12] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens was expected to face Yves Edwards on October 5, 2012, at UFC on FX 5.^[13] However, the bout was cancelled due to Stephens being arrested on the day of the event for an assault charge that dates back to 2011.^[14] The fight eventually took place on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5. Edwards won by knockout in the first round, being the first fighter to ever stop Stephens via strikes.

Stephens made his Featherweight debut against promotional newcomer Estevan Payan on May 25, 2013 at UFC 160.^[15] He won the bloody fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens was expected to face Rony Jason on October 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 29.^[16] However, Jason pulled out of the bout citing an injury (lumbar hernia).^[17] The bout eventually took place on November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32.^[18] Stephens won via knockout early in the first round.^[19]

Stephens faced Darren Elkins on January 25, 2014, at UFC on Fox 10.^[20] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Stephens faced Cub Swanson on June 28, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 44.^[21] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.

Stephens next faced Charles Oliveira on December 12, 2014, at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale.^[22] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Stephens faced Dennis Bermudez on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189.^[23] He won the fight by TKO due to a flying knee and punches after a close first two rounds.^[24]

Stephens faced Max Holloway on December 12, 2015, at UFC 194.^[25] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[26]

Stephens faced Renan Barão on May 29, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 88.^[27] He won the back and forth bout by unanimous decision.^[28] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors for their performance.^[29]

Stephens next faced Frankie Edgar on November 12, 2016, at UFC 205.^[30] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[31]

Stephens faced Renato Moicano on April 15, 2017, at UFC on Fox 24.^[32] He lost the fight by split decision.^[33]

Stephens faced Gilbert Melendez on September 9, 2017, at UFC 215.^[34] He won the fight via unanimous decision.^[35] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors for their performance.^[36]

Stephens faced Doo Ho Choi on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi.^[37] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.^[38] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.^[39]

Stephens faced Josh Emmett on February 24, 2018 at UFC on Fox 28.^[40] He won the fight via knockout in round two.^[41] This win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.^[42]

Stephens next faced former 2 time UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, on July 28, 2018 at UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2.^[43] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.^[44]

Stephens faced Zabit Magomedsharipov on March 2, 2019 at UFC 235.^[45] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.^[46]

Article source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Stephens