Jeremy Stephens` departure from the UFC was amicable, but his comeback to face Mason Jones at UFC Des Moines on May 2nd was still unexpected.
Fighting in Iowa, his home state, makes sense, especially after his recent victory over former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez in BKFC. Despite his success in bare-knuckle fighting, Stephens` UFC return materialized, something he had considered even after his win against Alvarez in January.
Shortly after that BKFC fight, Stephens mentioned to MMA Fighting his openness to a UFC comeback, particularly if it opened a path to a fight with Conor McGregor.
“UFC opportunities are there, maybe fighting Conor, BKFC too, where he’s part owner,” Stephens stated in January. “I created this moment. I bet on myself and manifested this. I turned ambition into reality. No one is more deserving and relevant than Jeremy Stephens right now.”
“I said it before, if you randomly pick a spot in the U.S., the 505, it lands in Des Moines, Iowa, the heart of this nation, and I am all heart. Nobody has more heart than me.”
Stephens was aware of his strong negotiating position after defeating Alvarez because he wasn`t tied to a long-term contract.
While returning to the UFC doesn`t preclude future BKFC fights, Stephens acknowledged the pull of MMA. Despite enjoying bare-knuckle boxing, his foundation remains in mixed martial arts.
“I’m a free agent. I could do a single UFC fight,” Stephens said. “Conor McGregor is a part-owner in BKFC. It’s turning dreams into reality. When we locked eyes, eyes don`t lie. That’s a real quote. I’ve been saying it and will always say it.”
After his victory over Alvarez, Stephens faced off with McGregor in the ring, with McGregor suggesting a future bare-knuckle encounter.
McGregor, a BKFC part-owner since 2024, has repeatedly expressed interest in bare-knuckle fighting, but with two UFC fights remaining on his contract, those likely need to happen first.
This is why Stephens considered a UFC return, hoping for a chance to welcome McGregor back to the octagon after McGregor`s long absence following a leg injury in 2021.
“He’s having fun. ‘Cocaine Conor,’ he’s having fun,” Stephens commented. “He’s promoting, not emotionally invested. I can see it in his eyes. He seemed submissive, reaching out his hand when we met. He’s there for promotion. He probably does want to fight. He’s making millions. His eyes tell the truth. I’m in a different league than Logan Paul or Jake Paul in terms of fighting. I may not have their numbers, but I’m the more dangerous and violent fighter.”
“I can fight MMA too. Conor can handle boxers, almost beating them because he can kick, take them down, and submit them. But he can’t do that against someone like me. I can use calf kicks, break legs. I have knockout power. I know it and I’m confident.”
The history between them goes back to a UFC 205 press conference in 2016. Stephens declared himself the hardest-hitting featherweight when McGregor was asked about his most dangerous opponent on stage.
McGregor famously responded, “Who the f*ck is that guy?” to the amusement of the New York crowd.
Ever since, Stephens has wanted a fight with McGregor, and his UFC return might make it a real possibility.
“People ask, ‘Do you really think you can beat Conor?’ He’s just a human,” Stephens said. “Yes, I know I can. In this era, ‘Cocaine Conor,’ I’ll knock him out. It would be even worse for him in bare-knuckle.”
“But I’m that guy, I could go to UFC, fight once if that’s how it works out. Dreams into reality, right? It’s an opportunity. Now it’s closer than ever.”
Shortly after his UFC signing, Stephens reignited the rivalry with McGregor, reminding “The Notorious” on Twitter that their issue isn`t resolved.
“BKFC, UFC, Conor McGregor, you can’t hide from me,” Stephens tweeted. “I will find you and I will kill you boy! Your time is up, I even got you a front row seat in Iowa. Wells Fargo event center, my hometown. Watch me break another jaw.”
