Dana White has reduced a UFC fan favorite for his upcoming show in the Moines.
MMA's first promotion will hold an event in Iowa for the first time in 25 years on 3 May.
To make it special, they have drawn a veteran of 51 fights who was born and raised in the city.
He will take on a lightweight prospect that has just been re -signed by the UFC, Mason Jones.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jeremy Stephens joins the UFC again
On Wednesday evening, the UFC announced several major fights for their return to Iowa.
The card will be covered by Bantamweight Kanshebbers Cory Sandhagen and Deiveson Figueiredo.
Middleweight Prospect Bo Nickal will come across his first ranked opponent, Reinier de Ridder, during the event.
The main event of the people, however, is that Jeremy Stephens returns his shock to the Octagon.
“This is for the birth city, 5-1-5 LFG,” he wrote on Instagram next to a 'Guess who's Back' image.
“Shoutout @danawhite, Hunter Campbell, @UFC.
“Time to set up a show on the @wellsfargoarena_ia, you don't want to miss it !! May 3 !!
What has Jeremy Stephens done since he left the UFC?
'Lil' Heathen left the UFC after a loss of submission in the first round to Mateusz Gamrot in July 2021.
The 38-year-old joined PFL and went 1-2 in the competition before he decided to change sport.
After winning just one fight in nine, Stephens moved to boxing, but things didn't improve.
In 2023 he fought to a draw with Jose Aldo before he lost through a unanimous decision against Chris Avila.
Since then he has been on the right track after finding a new home in Bare Knuckle FC.
Stephens went 2-0 in fighting against Jimmie River and Bobby Taylor before he was facing Eddie Alvarez.
In January he broke Alvarez's jaw during a victory of TKO (Hoekstop) at the former UFC champion.
Conor McGregor then mentioned Stephens on a three-part list of potential opponents for his BKFC debut.
Yet the possibility was to have a UFC fight in his hometown too good for Stephens to reject.
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