Jeremy Stephens Wants Quick Turnaround After Loss, Targets UFC 238 in Chicago

Jeremy Stephens was looking to bounce back from his devastating loss to Jose Aldo when he took on rising Dagestani prospect Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 235 on Saturday, and now he’s looking for another shot at turning around his fortunes.

The 32-year-old admitted to reporters in the lead-up to UFC 235 that he had considered taking his own life after the loss to the Brazilian but had sought help from friends and family to overcome it. Magomedsharipov proved too slick for Stephens during the fight using his elusive footwork to outpoint “Lil Heathen” for a unanimous decision victory and move into the Top 10 of the featherweight rankings. Rather than dwell on the loss, the 32-year-old Stephens wants a quick turnaround and is already eyeing a spot on the UFC 238 card in Chicago.

In an Instagram post, Stephens displayed a collage of news clippings showing successful events featuring his fights, and in the caption asked UFC matchmakers to include him on the Chicago card.

View this post on Instagram

First off I want to say thanks to my wife, kids and family, coaches, teammates, friends, and fans! I will continue to live as a champion inside and outside of the octagon and surround myself with championship likewise personals. There is no doubt in my mind that I always show up, I bust my ass inside and outside the octagon and bring in my world class A Game and championship mindset. I feel sometimes I suffer these set backs because God knows I’m that type of person who will learn and comeback stronger and do something bigger, greater than myself, and find strength in the struggle. I hold my head high like a champion knowing what my limitless capabilities are. I would like to ask @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby for a quick return in June for Chicago with a game opponent who wants to fight, so I can get back to winning ways! I’m blessed to walk out of the fight happy, healthy, and in great spirit! I’ll be back in the gym after this week and ready to return with something big! Thanks for all the love and support it means the world to me! God bless everyone, and at the end of the day numbers don’t lie people love tuning in to watch human highlight reel knockout artist-Jeremy Stephens

A post shared by Jeremy Stephens (@lilheathenmma) on Mar 4, 2019 at 11:55am PST

“First off I want to say thanks to my wife, kids and family, coaches, teammates, friends, and fans! I will continue to live as a champion inside and outside of the octagon and surround myself with championship likewise personals. There is no doubt in my mind that I always show up, I bust my ass inside and outside the octagon and bring in my world class A Game and championship mindset. I feel sometimes I suffer these set backs because God knows I’m that type of person who will learn and comeback stronger and do something bigger, greater than myself, and find strength in the struggle. I hold my head high like a champion knowing what my limitless capabilities are. I would like to ask [the UFC], [Dana White] and [UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby] for a quick return in June for Chicago with a game opponent who wants to fight, so I can get back to winning ways! I’m blessed to walk out of the fight happy, healthy, and in great spirit! I’ll be back in the gym after this week and ready to return with something big! Thanks for all the love and support it means the world to me! God bless everyone, and at the end of the day numbers don’t lie people love tuning in to watch human highlight reel knockout artist-Jeremy Stephens”