Bruce Fedyck USA TODAY Sports
Jeremy Stephens has been quick to show he’s a force to be reckoned with in the UFC’s 145 pound division. “Lil’ Heathen” stunned Rony Jason with a devastating first round knockout at UFC Fight Night 32 in Brazil. The end came at just 40 seconds when Stephens landed a brutal head kick and added in a huge right hand as Jason was lying dazed on the canvas.
The powerful Stephens is now 2-0 in the featherweight division and the decision to change weight classes is looking like a great move. He recorded a bloody victory over Estevan Payan at UFC 160 in his 145 pound debut. He decided to make the move down from lightweight after suffering three straight defeats at the hands of current champion Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone and Yves Edwards. The Edwards loss was the first time that the tough Stephens had ever been knocked out.
Stephens’s tremendous punching power makes him a threat against any 145 pound fighter. He has now recorded 15 knockouts in 22 career victories. As for Jason it was a shocking defeat as the crowd was literally sent into stunned silence when the Brazilian was finished. It was the first setback in the Octagon for the former TUF Brazil winner after he had registered victories over Godofredo Castro, Sam Sicilia and Mike Wilkinson.
Stephens is no stranger to being in with high-quality opposition during his UFC tenure, after his vicious finish of Jason it looks as though he can expect to face some of the best that the featherweight division has to offer.
Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports
