Jeremy Stephens` departure from the UFC was amicable, but his unexpected return to face Mason Jones at UFC Des Moines on May 2nd surprised many.
Fighting in Iowa, his home state, is logical, but Stephens was recently victorious against former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez in BKFC, suggesting his bare-knuckle career was established. However, on Thursday, Stephens rejoined the UFC, a possibility he considered even after his win over Alvarez in January.
Shortly after that BKFC fight, Stephens mentioned to MMA Fighting his openness to a UFC return, particularly for a potential bout with Conor McGregor.
“UFC opportunities, possibly fighting Conor, BKFC – he’s part owner there,” Stephens stated in January. “I created this situation. I bet on myself. I made it happen. I turned a dream into reality. No one is more deserving right now than Jeremy Stephens.”
“If you randomly pick a spot in the U.S., the 505, it’ll be Des Moines, Iowa, the heart of the nation, and I’m all heart. Nobody has more heart than me.”
Stephens understood his strong position after defeating Alvarez, being a free agent without long-term contracts.
While UFC return doesn`t exclude future BKFC fights, Stephens acknowledged this possibility because despite enjoying bare-knuckle boxing, MMA remains his foundation.
“I`m a free agent. I could do a UFC fight,” Stephens said. “[Conor McGregor is] a BKFC part owner. That`s turning dreams into reality. Eyes don`t lie. I always say that.”
After beating Alvarez, Stephens faced off with McGregor in the ring, with McGregor hinting at a future fight without gloves.
McGregor, a BKFC co-owner since 2024, has repeatedly expressed interest in bare-knuckle fighting but must fulfill his remaining UFC contract first.
This is why Stephens considered a UFC return, hoping to welcome McGregor back to the octagon after McGregor`s four-year 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 agreeable when we met. He’s here for promotion. He probably wants to fight. He`s making millions. Look at his eyes, they tell the truth. I`m in a different league than Logan and Jake Paul. I’m not as popular, but I`m more dangerous and violent.”
“I can do MMA too. Conor can handle boxers because he can kick, take them down, and submit them. But against someone like me, it`s different. I can use leg kicks. I can break his legs. I have knockout power.”
Their history goes back to a 2016 UFC 205 press conference where Stephens claimed to be the hardest-hitting featherweight when McGregor was asked about his most dangerous opponent.
McGregor famously responded, “Who the f*ck is that guy?” to the amusement of the New York crowd.
Since then, Stephens has wanted to fight McGregor, and his UFC return might make it possible.
“People ask, ‘Do you think you can beat Conor?’ He’s human,” Stephens said. “Yes, I know I can. Today’s ‘Cocaine Conor,’ I’d knock him out. Bare-knuckle would be even worse for him.”
“But I`m that guy who can go to UFC for a fight if it happens. Dreams into reality, right? It’s an opportunity. It’s closer now.”
Soon after re-signing with the UFC, Stephens reignited his rivalry with McGregor, sending a message to “The Notorious” that their business isn`t over.
“BKFC, UFC, Conor McGregor, you can’t hide from me,” Stephens tweeted. “I will find you and defeat you! Your time is up. I got you a front row seat in Iowa. Wells Fargo event center, my hometown. Watch me break another jaw.”
