Longtime UFC lightweight Jeremy Stephens reacted after he lost his 20th fight inside the Octagon, setting a record for most UFC losses.
Stephens fought fellow veteran King Green in the main card opening bout at UFC 328 on Saturday night in Newark, New Jersey. Entering the bout, Stephens was a heavy underdog to Green, and the fight played out just like the betting odds indicated.
After Green hurt Stephens on the feet with big punches, he took him down to the mat and then landed heavy ground and pound. Stephens then turned over and gave up his neck, and Green finished him with a rear-naked choke at 4:20 of the first round.
With the loss, Stephens became the first fighter in UFC history to record 20 losses inside the Octagon. The defeat also leaves in doubt Stephens’ future in the promotion.
Jeremy Stephens Reacts to King Green Loss at UFC 328
Taking to his social media following the loss, Stephens reacted to getting tapped out in the first round by Green at UFC 328.
“Keep it black and white. Didn’t get it done. No excuses. I take full accountability for all of it. That’s what comes with this game and that’s what comes with walking into the fire over and over again. I know the risks every time I sign that contract. I know what I’m up against. Still, I answer the call every time. God got me. We recalibrate. We refocus. And we keep walking forward. That’s it,” Stephens wrote on his Instagram.
What’s Next for Jeremy Stephens After UFC 328?
After four years away from the organization, Stephens returned to the UFC last year, and he lost a unanimous decision to top prospect Mason Jones at UFC Iowa. While Stephens lost that fight, it was an awesome battle between warriors, and there was still reason to believe that Stephens had something left in the tank.
The fight with Jones was actually just a one-fight contract for Stephens at the time, but he called UFC president Dana White and told him he wanted to fight again in the UFC. The promotion obliged, and they matched him up against Green in a battle between two veterans. But Green proved to be the far superior fighter as he dominated Stephens in all aspects of MMA and picked up a huge win.
As for what’s next for Stephens, there is a very real chance this is the last time we see him inside the Octagon. At age 39, and turning 40 later this month, time is not on Stephens’ side. Going 0-2 since returning to the UFC is also not a good look for him. While he could be kept around as a gatekeeper to fight younger prospects, it really does feel like this is the end of the road for the longtime veteran, especially after he criticized the UFC’s bonus structure earlier this week and then missed weight at the official UFC 328 weigh-ins. But at the same time, he has always been a fan favorite, so if the UFC kept him around for one more fight, it shouldn’t surprise anyone, either. That being said, a release feels more likely given the circumstances.
Jeremy Stephens Reacts to Losing a Record 20 Fights In the UFC