Stephens Answers Guillard’s Challenge
“Lil’ Heathen” answered the challenge.
Jeremy Stephens will toe the line against Melvin Guillard in a matchup between lightweight gunslingers at UFC 119 on Sept. 25 at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The 24-year-old on Thursday confirmed he had accepted the fight, mere days after Guillard went on the offensive in an interview with the Sherdog Radio Network’s Savage Dog Show.
“I’m expecting victory,” Stephens said. “Melvin’s looked really sharp in his last few fights. Melvin’s not a dumb guy. He’s going to train hard. He’s got good people around him, but I have better people around me. I think I’m mentally tougher than him.”
A heavy, throw-caution-to-the-wind puncher, Stephens has rattled off back-to-back wins, including a split decision over Sam Stout at UFC 113 last month. His electrifying 2008 knockout against Rafael dos Anjos remains a staple in the UFC highlight vault. Revered for his willingness to dish out and absorb punishment, the Des Moines, Iowa, native has captured post-fight performance bonuses in three of his past five appearances.
In the midst of a career rebirth under the direction of trainer Greg Jackson, Guillard folded Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Waylon Lowe with a brutal knee to the body at UFC 114 two weeks ago. The 27-year-old has won five of his past six bouts, and though he has proven vulnerable to submission fighters throughout his career, he has never been knocked out in 35 professional fights. Athletically, few in the lightweight division can match him.
Stephens expects fireworks on both sides of the Octagon.
“He’s fast. He’s powerful. He’s strong,” Stephens said. “It’s nothing I’ve never seen before. You look on the other end, and I have the same abilities.”
Stephens, like Guillard, has never found himself on the wrong end of a knockout. He has been finished only once -- by “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 semifinalist Joe Lauzon -- since Din Thomas spoiled his promotional debut three years ago. Stephens, who has already beaten American Top Team’s Cole Miller and Team Alpha Male’s Justin Buchholz, sees brighter days ahead.
“It’s my time now,” he said.
Jeremy Stephens will toe the line against Melvin Guillard in a matchup between lightweight gunslingers at UFC 119 on Sept. 25 at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The 24-year-old on Thursday confirmed he had accepted the fight, mere days after Guillard went on the offensive in an interview with the Sherdog Radio Network’s Savage Dog Show.
“I’m expecting victory,” Stephens said. “Melvin’s looked really sharp in his last few fights. Melvin’s not a dumb guy. He’s going to train hard. He’s got good people around him, but I have better people around me. I think I’m mentally tougher than him.”
A heavy, throw-caution-to-the-wind puncher, Stephens has rattled off back-to-back wins, including a split decision over Sam Stout at UFC 113 last month. His electrifying 2008 knockout against Rafael dos Anjos remains a staple in the UFC highlight vault. Revered for his willingness to dish out and absorb punishment, the Des Moines, Iowa, native has captured post-fight performance bonuses in three of his past five appearances.
In the midst of a career rebirth under the direction of trainer Greg Jackson, Guillard folded Bellator Fighting Championships veteran Waylon Lowe with a brutal knee to the body at UFC 114 two weeks ago. The 27-year-old has won five of his past six bouts, and though he has proven vulnerable to submission fighters throughout his career, he has never been knocked out in 35 professional fights. Athletically, few in the lightweight division can match him.
Stephens expects fireworks on both sides of the Octagon.
“He’s fast. He’s powerful. He’s strong,” Stephens said. “It’s nothing I’ve never seen before. You look on the other end, and I have the same abilities.”
Stephens, like Guillard, has never found himself on the wrong end of a knockout. He has been finished only once -- by “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 5 semifinalist Joe Lauzon -- since Din Thomas spoiled his promotional debut three years ago. Stephens, who has already beaten American Top Team’s Cole Miller and Team Alpha Male’s Justin Buchholz, sees brighter days ahead.
“It’s my time now,” he said.
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