It appeared like Jeremy Stephens actually discovered a house in bare-knuckle combating after he put collectively an undefeated run with BKFC that was capped off with a jaw-breaking efficiency over former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez.
However that combat really served as the ultimate bout on his contract and moderately than re-sign with BKFC, Stephens ended up inking a one-fight deal to return to the UFC the place he competes in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday. Whereas Stephens made it clear as soon as he hit free company that he wished to be compensated correctly to return to BKFC, he didn’t go away the promotion on unhealthy phrases simply because the UFC got here calling with a suggestion.
“I don’t have any unhealthy blood over there with BKFC,” Stephens informed MMA Preventing. “We tried to come up with [David] Feldman, get in touch. I wasn’t going to attend for no response or something. I’m paying my very own payments. I’ve obtained to create my very own alternatives.
“The truth that I can simply go do that right here in Could, make a chance, have a payday. [But] I really like BKFC. Nobody’s f*cking with me and BKFC. I feel there’s some fights there and it’s like are you going to pay me my value? If not, I’ve obtained to handle this household. I’m nonetheless lively, nonetheless wholesome. I need to compete. UFC was only a cease of alternative.”
The win over Alvarez seemingly arrange Stephens for all kinds of potential alternatives together with a protracted awaited dream match in opposition to BKFC co-owner Conor McGregor, who really stepped into the ring with him for a faceoff again on the occasion in Philadelphia in January.
Stephens additionally referred to as for a possible showdown in opposition to BKFC star Mike Perry, who has largely grow to be the face of the promotion since he first signed there a couple of years in the past.
Whereas neither of these fights got here collectively after the Alvarez win, Stephens is aware of it’s all nonetheless doable and the eye paid to these doable matchups solely will get greater if he goes out and starches Mason Jones within the UFC on Could 3.
Greater than something, he simply desires BKFC to come back after him with a monetary supply that is sensible.
“BKFC, in the case of bare-knuckle, the king of the barbarians is residence,” Stephens mentioned. “I used to be asking for that Mike Perry combat. Conor [McGregor] can speak about he desires to come back over [to bare-knuckle] however these guys aren’t actually critical. I’m really like are you critical or which route can we obtained to go? Clearly, I’ve obtained to maintain placing in work. I’m going to maintain f*cking exhibiting up and being in everyone’s faces. It’s going to be my yr. You’re simply going to listen to Jeremy Stephens all throughout the f*cking board.
“I need to combat for an organization that’s going to maintain me busy and let me create my very own alternatives. I don’t need to show my value. I already know what I’m able to in doing issues. To promote out the present, crack a f*cking jaw, and go on the market after they put $2 million on Eddie. Come on, I really feel like I deserve these paydays, too, proper? I really feel just like the MMA individuals across the globe are beginning to acknowledge who the f*ck I actually am. I nonetheless out right here doing it and simply creating alternatives for myself. I don’t depend on no person. I’m my very own man. I do it my very own manner.”
In an ideal world, Stephens would win his return combat within the UFC after which begin working in direction of that matchup in opposition to McGregor with the historical past between them courting again to an notorious press convention alternate again in 2016.
That back-and-forth second that went viral the place McGregor shouted “who the f*ck is that man” has solely fueled Stephens that rather more to ultimately get his arms on the Irish celebrity.
Whereas there are questions on whether or not or not McGregor ever competes once more with almost 4 years handed since his final combat and he’s now teasing a possible run at President in Eire, Stephens isn’t giving up hope simply but.
“I sort of maintain it behind my head to chase that sort of purple panty night time,” Stephens mentioned. “I deserve it however I actually know I can f*cking rearrange his jaw. Rearrange his f*cking legs and break him. I feel we’re the proper combat.
“Let previous buttcheeks Conor, cocaine Conor do his factor, let him run wild. Within the meantime, I’m simply going to maintain whooping ass, maintain exhibiting up as No. 1 and ultimately if the chance comes, I put myself in line by motion, not simply f*cking speaking and being a social media clown. I’m out right here f*cking doing it. Breaking jaws, snapping bras. It’s simply what I do.”
