Challenges in the Life of Jeremy Stephens in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Jeremy Stephens's life and career.

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).

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

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.

January 11, 2010: Withdrawal from Fight due to Cut

On January 11, 2010, Jeremy Stephens was forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Nik Lentz at UFC Fight Night 20 due to a cut.

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.

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.

October 5, 2012: Arrest and Fight Cancellation

On October 5, 2012, Jeremy Stephens' scheduled fight at UFC on FX 5 was cancelled due to his arrest on the day of the event.

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.

October 9, 2013: Rony Jason Fight Cancellation

On October 9, 2013, Jeremy Stephens was scheduled to face Rony Jason at UFC Fight Night 29, but Jason pulled out of the bout due to injury.

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.

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.

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.

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.

April 18, 2020: UFC 249 Postponement

On April 18, 2020, UFC 249, where Jeremy Stephens was scheduled to fight Calvin Kattar, was originally scheduled to take place, but was postponed. The bout eventually happened on May 9, 2020.

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.

November 7, 2020: Withdrawal from Fight Due to Injury

On November 7, 2020, Jeremy Stephens was forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Arnold Allen at UFC on ESPN: Santos vs. Teixeira, citing injury.

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.

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.

June 21, 2023: Loss to Chris Avila in Boxing

On June 21, 2023, Jeremy Stephens faced Chris Avila in a boxing match on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz in Dallas, Texas and was defeated via unanimous decision. Avila also missed weight for the match.