Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC
Jeremy Stephens will look to snap his two-fight losing streak on Saturday night (Sept. 21, 2019) when he faces Yair Rodriguez in the main event of UFC Fight Night 159 in Mexico City, Mexico.
While Yair has shown he is an exciting up-and-coming contneder with the striking skills to match, Stephens says he has been there and done that, and there is nothing “El Pantera” can bring to the cage that will catch him off guard.
“Yair can’t (expletive) wrestle for (expletive),” Stephens said in an interview in MMA Junkie while in Mexico City. “He’s in trouble. I’m going to slam him on his head and cut him open. He thinks Frankie Edgar swole his eye? Wait until I cut him open,” he added.
“…What is new generation? What are you going to show me that I haven’t seen me or Bruce Lee hasn’t shown on a movie. What the (expletive) are you going to show me that’s new? I just fought a guy who’s just like you that’s better than you that you were afraid to fight.”
Indeed, part of the reason why many felt Yair was released from UFC last year was his hesitance to face Zabit, though Rodriguez was quick to say that wasn’t the case at all, blaming it on sheer miscommunication from both sides.
But to hear Jeremy tell the tale, Rodriguez had to really mull it over before even agreeing to fight him.
“It took Yair a week and a half to even sign the contract,” Stephens said. “You know him about them contracts. Boy, he’s always ducked, dodged, dipped, and dipping and dodging again. They told him and I immediately accepted. I wanted to be in the altitude. I wanted to come down here. I know the type of fans and everything they bring,” he added.
“It’s a new journey and experience and I embrace it. I’m enjoying every minute. I’m relaxed, cool as a cucumber, and I can’t wait to put his brains into the canvas Saturday night.”
As far as fighting in Mexico, while Yair — who is from Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico — will likely have the hometown crowd behind him, Stephens is no stranger to the Mexican culture.
“It’s just an honor let alone to be fighting in Mexico,” Stephens said. “I have roots here. My daughter is Mexican. My wife is Mexican. I love Mexican food and I love the people, most of all.”
“He’s a kid,” Stephens said about Yair. “He’s a chamaco and I’m a man. I fight like a man. I don’t run. I’m here to whoop his ass. I’m here to embarrass him and outpoint him every single step of the way.”
To see the rest of the UFC Fight Night 159: “Rodriguez vs Stephens” fight card click here.