Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jeremy Stephens
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jeremy Stephens made an impact.
Jeremy Stephens is an American professional mixed martial artist, bare-knuckle boxer, and professional boxer. He competes in the Lightweight division. Since turning professional in 2005, Stephens spent 15 years and had 33 fights in the UFC's Featherweight and Lightweight divisions. He has also competed in the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
2005: Start of Professional Career
In 2005, Jeremy Stephens began his professional mixed martial arts career, marking the start of his journey in combat sports.
May 26, 2007: UFC Debut Loss to Din Thomas
On May 26, 2007, Jeremy Stephens made his UFC debut but was defeated by Din Thomas via second-round armbar submission at UFC 71.
February 7, 2009: Loss to Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 17
On February 7, 2009, Jeremy Stephens faced Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 17 as a late replacement, and lost the fight via armbar in the second round.
April 1, 2009: Loss to Gleison Tibau
On April 1, 2009, at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs Kampmann, Jeremy Stephens was defeated by Gleison Tibau via unanimous decision, marking his second consecutive loss.
September 16, 2009: Knockout Victory Over Justin Buchholz
On September 16, 2009, Jeremy Stephens defeated Justin Buchholz at UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard due to a doctor stoppage after landing significant strikes, earning him a $30,000 Knockout of the Night award.
May 8, 2010: Victory Over Sam Stout at UFC 113
On May 8, 2010, Jeremy Stephens defeated Sam Stout via split decision at UFC 113, earning a $65,000 Fight of the Night award.
September 25, 2010: Loss to Melvin Guillard at UFC 119
On September 25, 2010, Jeremy Stephens lost to Melvin Guillard via split decision at UFC 119.
January 1, 2011: Knockout Victory Over Marcus Davis
On January 1, 2011, at UFC 125, Jeremy Stephens defeated Marcus Davis by KO in the third round, earning a $60,000 Knockout of the Night award.
June 4, 2011: Victory Over Danny Downes
On June 4, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale, Jeremy Stephens defeated Danny Downes via unanimous decision.
October 8, 2011: Loss to Anthony Pettis
On October 8, 2011, Jeremy Stephens faced Anthony Pettis at UFC 136 and lost the fight via split decision.
May 15, 2012: Loss to Donald Cerrone
On May 15, 2012, Jeremy Stephens replaced Yves Edwards against Donald Cerrone at UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier and lost the fight via unanimous decision.
December 8, 2012: Loss to Yves Edwards
On December 8, 2012, Jeremy Stephens faced Yves Edwards at UFC on Fox 5, losing by knockout in the first round.
2012: Return to Lightweight Division
In 2012, Jeremy Stephens was expected to return to the lightweight division to face Drakkar Klose, however the bout was scrapped due to Klose sustaining a spinal injury as a result of being shoved by Stephens at the weigh-ins.
May 25, 2013: Featherweight Debut Win
On May 25, 2013, at UFC 160, Jeremy Stephens made his Featherweight debut against Estevan Payan and won the fight via unanimous decision.
November 9, 2013: Knockout Victory Over Rony Jason
On November 9, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 32, Jeremy Stephens defeated Rony Jason via knockout early in the first round.
January 25, 2014: Victory Over Darren Elkins
On January 25, 2014, at UFC on Fox 10, Jeremy Stephens defeated Darren Elkins via unanimous decision.
June 28, 2014: Loss to Cub Swanson
On June 28, 2014, Jeremy Stephens faced Cub Swanson at UFC Fight Night 44 and lost the fight via unanimous decision; this fight earned him a $50,000 Fight of the Night award.
December 12, 2014: Loss to Charles Oliveira
On December 12, 2014, Jeremy Stephens faced Charles Oliveira at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale and lost the fight by unanimous decision.
July 11, 2015: TKO Victory Over Dennis Bermudez
On July 11, 2015, at UFC 189, Jeremy Stephens defeated Dennis Bermudez by TKO due to a flying knee and punches.
December 12, 2015: Loss to Max Holloway
On December 12, 2015, Jeremy Stephens faced Max Holloway at UFC 194 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.
May 29, 2016: Victory Over Renan Barão
On May 29, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 88, Jeremy Stephens defeated Renan Barão by unanimous decision; both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.
November 12, 2016: Loss to Frankie Edgar
On November 12, 2016, Jeremy Stephens faced Frankie Edgar at UFC 205 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.
April 15, 2017: Loss to Renato Moicano
On April 15, 2017, Jeremy Stephens faced Renato Moicano at UFC on Fox 24 and lost the fight by split decision.
September 9, 2017: Victory Over Gilbert Melendez
On September 9, 2017, Jeremy Stephens faced Gilbert Melendez at UFC 215 and won the fight via unanimous decision; both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.
January 14, 2018: TKO Victory Over Doo Ho Choi
On January 14, 2018, Jeremy Stephens faced Doo Ho Choi at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi, winning by TKO in the second round; both participants were awarded Fight of the Night.
February 24, 2018: Knockout Victory Over Josh Emmett
On February 24, 2018, Jeremy Stephens faced Josh Emmett at UFC on Fox 28, winning the fight via knockout in round two and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.
July 28, 2018: Loss to José Aldo
On July 28, 2018, Jeremy Stephens faced José Aldo at UFC on Fox: Alvarez vs. Poirier 2 and lost the fight via TKO in the first round.
March 2, 2019: Loss to Zabit Magomedsharipov
On March 2, 2019, Jeremy Stephens faced Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 235 and lost the fight via unanimous decision.
September 21, 2019: No Contest Against Yair Rodríguez
On September 21, 2019, Jeremy Stephens faced Yair Rodríguez at UFC on ESPN+ 17; the bout ended in a "No Contest" after Rodríguez accidentally swatted Stephens in the eye.
October 18, 2019: Loss to Yair Rodríguez in Rematch
On October 18, 2019, Jeremy Stephens faced Yair Rodríguez in a rematch at UFC on ESPN 6 and lost the fight via unanimous decision; this fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.
May 9, 2020: Loss to Calvin Kattar
On May 9, 2020, Jeremy Stephens faced Calvin Kattar at UFC 249 and lost the fight via technical knockout in round two, after missing weight at 150.5 pounds.
July 17, 2021: Loss to Mateusz Gamrot
On July 17, 2021, Jeremy Stephens faced Mateusz Gamrot at UFC on ESPN: Makhachev vs. Moisés and lost the fight via submission in round one.
January 2022: UFC Contract Not Renewed
In January 2022, after nearly 15 years and 33 fights in the UFC, Jeremy Stephens' contract was not renewed.
April 23, 2022: PFL Debut Loss to Clay Collard
On April 23, 2022, Jeremy Stephens made his PFL debut against Clay Collard at PFL 1 and lost the bout via unanimous decision.
June 17, 2022: Victory Over Myles Price at PFL 4
On June 17, 2022, Jeremy Stephens faced Myles Price at PFL 4 and won the bout via split decision.
November 25, 2022: Loss to Natan Schulte
On November 25, 2022, Jeremy Stephens faced Natan Schulte at PFL 10, losing by submission in the second round via arm-triangle choke.
2022: Signing with PFL
In 2022, Jeremy Stephens signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to compete in their Lightweight division after his UFC contract was not renewed.
April 1, 2023: Professional Boxing Debut
On April 1, 2023, Jeremy Stephens made his professional boxing debut against José Aldo, ending the bout in a majority draw on the undercard of Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anthony Pettis in Milwaukee.
December 2, 2023: TKO Victory Over Jimmie Rivera in BKFC
On December 2, 2023, Jeremy Stephens faced Jimmie Rivera at BKFC 56 and won by TKO due to doctor stoppage.
September 6, 2024: Victory Over Bobby Taylor at BKFC 65
On September 6, 2024, Jeremy Stephens faced Bobby Taylor at BKFC 65 and won the fight by unanimous decision, earning a Performance of the Night award.
December 11, 2024: Signing with Global Fight League
On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Jeremy Stephens was signed by Global Fight League.
January 25, 2025: TKO Victory Over Eddie Alvarez at BKFC Knucklemania 5
On January 25, 2025, Jeremy Stephens faced Eddie Alvarez at BKFC Knucklemania 5, scoring two knockdowns and winning the fight via third-round TKO.
