UFC lightweight Jeremy ‘Lil Heathen’ Stephens (19-6) is coming off an exciting third round knockout over Marcus Davis in his last fight. Stephens earned his third “Knockout of the Night” bonus for the UFC 125 victory, and is set to step back into the Octagon on June 4.
‘Lil Heathen’ had been scheduled to face season 12 “TUF” winner Jeremy Brookins, but an injury forced Brookins off the card. Stephens will now welcome ‘Danny Boy’ Downes (8-1) to the UFC, with the two meeting at the TUF 13: Finale at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas next month.
The MMA News managed to get an exclusive interview with Stephens to talk about his win over Davis, his upcoming fight with Downes, Twitter, and the UFC’s new fighter insurance policy.
Be sure to wish Stephens a happy birthday on Twitter @LilHeathenMMA as the lightweight celebrates on May 26. Be sure to check out more from ‘Lil’Heathen’ on Youtube.com/LilHeathenMMA and on his website at LilHeathenMMA.com.
Your last fight was in January against Marcus Davis in which you earned your 3rd knockout of the night award. Take us through that moment and how it felt to dispose of your opponent so convincingly after a tough first 2 rounds.
Jeremy Stephens: Yes, the first two rounds didn’t go as planned. I felt Marcus tire, as I felt a 2nd wind. So I knew coming out in the 3rd I would come hard, and look to finish the fight every chance I could. Then once I did finish him, it was very rewarding knowing all the hard work I’m putting in, is paying off.
What have you been up to during your time between fights?
JS: After my last fight, I took a week off and went back home to Des Moines, IA. Then I was right back to training. I’ve been working a lot on all area’s of MMA, and keeping up on my cardio. I know when to take it easy and when to pick it up, so I don’t get burned out. Once I was 8 weeks out, I really picked it up, and this camp has been going great.
When you learned that Jonathan Brookins was injured and that you’d be facing Danny Downes, what went through your head at that time?
JS: I was really bummed out to be honest. My camp for Jonathan was perfect, and there was no chance he was going to be able to do anything with me. I was going to shut him down. But I understand things happen, and I’ve been in this position before. So we went right back to the drawing board, changed up my game plan & training, and things have gone even better. So I have no complaints other then wanting to be on the main card.
Your opponent Danny Downes is a new comer to the UFC, and you are his biggest test to date. Is it harder to get motivated for this fight as opposed to some of the bigger names you’ve faced in the past?
JS: Everyone in the UFC is going to be a tough fight. Danny Downes is going to be a tougher opponent then Brookins, and will put on a better fight. So if anything, it makes me even more excited and motivated
With the merger of the UFC and WEC and the introduction of so many new lightweights into the division, are you looking to send a message to the rest of the division with this fight?
JS: I’m not out to really send messages. I’m out to make statements, and do what the fans want to see. I’m a man on the hunt for the title, and looking to make some fun fights, get better, evolve my game, and better myself as a person in the mean time. I don’t really care about my opponents.
With a sport that is always changing what kind of things are you doing to train for fights now that you weren’t a couple years ago?
JS: I now have a phenomenal team of coaches that are always looking over me, and changing things up to the area’s they want me to work on. So instead of doing what I want, or going off of a schedule, I have my coaches design my daily training. It’s worked wonders for me.
Take us through a typical training camp for you, from the time frame to the people you trust to get you ready for a fight.
JS: This is a little too hard to explain, really. I would have to write for days! Depending on the days, I workout 2 to 3 times a day, and run on the side of that. Each day and session is different between; performance strength training, regular strength training, straight cardio, No Gi jiu jitsu, Gi Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, and at times mixing two of them. On Saturday’s is open gym where everyone comes in to hard spar live, so we get that typical fight in. I also do yoga on the side. Between one session, I nap and relax (beach or something like that), then between the other, I get business/personal stuff done. Throughout the day, I always eat a lot, like to enjoy time with my family and friends. That sums it up.
Is there anything you want to say to your opponent?
JS: Yes, Danny- please follow my on Twitter- @LilHeathenMMA and follow my video blogs- Youtube.com/ LilHeathenMMA. If you could have others do so as well, thank you!
You were recently in Vegas for the UFC Fighter Summit, what was it like to spend a few days in a big room with so many of the world’s top fighters?
JS: It made me realize how much a 8-5 sucks, and how much I love my job with the UFC! They have really blessed me in so many ways that I can’t even explain. But other then that- it was good to see some of he guys and do a little hanging out. I couldn’t wait to get back in my training camp though.
What are your thoughts on the new Fighter Insurance policy?
JS: Props to the UFC for once again blessing me (and the rest) in so many ways. This is noting but positive and I can’t say thank you enough. I think if you’re not fighting in the UFC, everyone is motivated to get to the UFC already. So the rest is just extra love from the UFC that they didn’t have to do.
You are quite active with the social media (Twitter, Vblogs, etc), what do you think of the UFC’s new policy to award fighters bonuses for using Twitter? Has this motivated you to take your blogging to a new level, if so how?
JS: I like to chase all bonus’s, so I love it! Keep it coming, I’m out to win!
Is there anything you would like to say to your fans or anyone you would like to take this time to thank?
JS: Thank you all so much for the support. I wouldn’t be where I am at and doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for you all! You all mean so much and I appreciate you all so much. Thank YOU! Also;
Follow me on Twitter- @LilHeathenMMA and my video blogs youtube.com/LilHeathenMMA