Jeremy Stephens vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov Targeted for UFC 235 in Las Vegas

An intriguing featherweight clash pitting Jeremy Stephens against Zabit Magomedsharipov is in the works for UFC 235.

ESPN.com was first to report the booking. The 145-pound hasn’t yet been finalized, and thus, has not been formally announced by the promotion. UFC 235 takes place on March 2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and features a welterweight showdown between Ben Askren and Robbie Lawler.

Stephens referenced the matchup with Magomed Sharipov in a post on his Instagram account.

“I declare to rise victorious again, I welcome the challenge this fight brings and I’m confident in these challenges I’ll overcome in a fantastic performance,” he wrote.

With 29 Octagon appearances, Stephens is one of the longest-tenured fighters in the organization. “Lil Heathen” saw a three-fight winning streak come to an end in a first-round TKO loss to Jose Aldo in his most recent outing at UFC on Fox 30.

Magomedsharipov has been touted as one of the top featherweight prospects in the sport. The 27-year-old Dagestan native has kicked off his UFC tenure with four consecutive triumphs, including a kneebar submission of Brandon Davis in his most recent Octagon appearance this past September. The Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu product owns a 16-1 career mark.

View this post on Instagram

I declare to rise victorious again, I welcome the challenge this fight brings and I’m confident in these challenges I’ll overcome in a fantastic performance! #Merica

A post shared by Jeremy Stephens (@lilheathenmma) on Dec 17, 2018 at 3:33pm PST