The Weight Cutting Chronicles: UFC Vegas 24 — Whittaker and Gastelum

UFC Mexico City Jeremy Stephens
Jeremy Stephens Credit: Rodney James Edgar/Cageside Press

Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens (28-18 MMA, 15-17, 1NC UFC)

Featherweight (145lbs): 8-9, 1 NC (UFC), Missed weight 1x

Lightweight (155lbs.): 8-8 (UFC)

Jeremy Stephens has been in the UFC for a very long time. In 2007, a 21 year old Jermey Stephens made his UFC debut in the lightweight division against Din Thomas.

Jeremy continued to fight in the lightweight division up until the end of 2012 when a three-fight losing streak against high level competition (Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone and Yves Edwards) forced him to take a look at moving down in weight. Being 5’9″ with a 71″ reach, Jeremy Stephens was able to successfully move down in weight at the beginning of 2013 at the age of almost 27.

Fast forward to the present and Stephens has lost his last four out of five and he missed weight in his most recent bout. Jeremy came in at 150.5lbs. for the weigh ins prior to his loss against Calvin Kattar.

‘Lil Heathen’ is moving back up in weight to 155lbs at UFC Vegas 24 in the hopes of getting back in the win column by focusing less on a weight cut and more on brutally finishing fights like he is so well known for.