If you follow Twitter for breaking fight announcements, you may have noticed a bout between UFC featherweights Jeremy Stephens and Lucas Martins popping up early Wednesday morning.
The fight was originally reported by Instagram user mmajunkie7375. It was then picked up by several sources such as MMA Mad.
The problem with that, according to Stephens’ agent Ryan Hass, is that the fight isn’t happening at all. It’s not confirmed, and Stephens’ team has no intentions of accepting the reported scrap against Martins in Brazil at UFC 179.
“Jeremy would love to step up last minute at 155 or 170 [pounds] to save UFC and a fight for the fans, otherwise we’re hoping for Austin or Mexico at 145,” Hass told Bleacher Report in a text message.
According to Hass, Stephens—a longtime lightweight who has fought his last four fights at featherweight—would not attempt to make the featherweight limit of 145 pounds at UFC 179, which takes place Oct. 25.
Stephens is, however, comfortable making the 145-pound limit by late November. The Austin, Texas, card Hass mentions is UFC Fight Night 57, which takes place Nov. 22. Meanwhile, the Mexico card, UFC 180, takes place Nov. 15.
Another reason Stephens will not be facing Martins is that the Brazilian simply isn’t a big enough name at this stage in his career.
Stephens recently battled Cub Swanson in a main event, No. 1 contender’s bout at UFC Fight Night 44, and his team would be reluctant to follow that Fight of the Night showing with a bout against Martins, who is not ranked in the top 15 of the UFC’s 145-pound division.
“We haven’t even heard of this Luke guy or whatever his name is,” Hass said. “(We’re) only interested in the best fights the fans want, so no, there is no fight for Jeremy against Luke in Oct. Hoping for a bigger fight to rebound.”
Hass was unable to confirm any other future plans for Stephens at this time. Bleacher Report has reached out to Martins’ management team for comment but has not received an immediate response.
Stay tuned at the situation continues to unfold.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com