Jeremy Stephens – Image via Evolution Agents Facebook page
UFC lightweight John Cholish has been forced to withdraw from an upcoming fight with Yves ‘Thugjitsu Master’ Edwards (41-18-1) at UFC on FOX: Henderson vs. Diaz, opening the door for Jeremy ‘Lil Heathen’ Stephens (20-8) to step through.
Stephens and Edwards had been scheduled to meet last month at UFC on FX 5 until ‘Lil Heathen’ was arrested by Minneapolis police on fight day over an outstanding warrant from his native state of Ohio. Despite the best efforts of UFC president Dana White to spring him for the fight, Stephens was held in jail for about a week before being finally released. He still faces assault charges and will have to return to Ohio for a future court appearance.
News of the bout was confirmed by Stephens management team Evolution Agents via Twitter (@EvoAgents)
– Everything happens for a reason! @thugjitsumaster vs @LiLHeathenMMA is ON! Dec. 8th in Seattle #UFConFox5. @ufc @FuryJury @DamonMartin #FOTN
UFC on FOX 5 is scheduled to take place on December 8, 2012 at KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. The main card will air live on FOX, while the Stephens vs. Edwards bout is expected to appear on the FX televised preliminary card.
Stephens will look to end a two-fight losing skid and is 2-2 in his last four bouts. ‘Lil Heathen’ was last seen in the Octagon in the spring when he lost a unanimous decision to Donald Cerrone at UFC on FUEL TV 3. The other loss took place in October 2011 at UFC 136 with a split decision defeat at the hands of Anthony Pettis. Stephens earned his last win in June of last year with a decision win against Danny Downes at the TUF 13 Finale.
Edwards is also looking for a victory having lost a decision to Tony Ferguson at the TUF 14 Finale almost a year ago last December. The ‘Thugjitsu Master’ had been scheduled to face Cerrone at the third FUEL TV event but was forced out with an injury. His last win came in October of last year at the final Versus event, UFC on Versus 6, with a second round TKO finish of Rafaello Oliveira. The other bout in his current 1-2 run was a knockout loss to Sam Stout at UFC 131.