Exclusive Interview: Jeremy Stephens
(Stephens works for a guillotine against Spencer Fisher at the TUF 7 Finale.)
On Saturday night, Des Moines, Iowa’s Jeremy Stephens will step in to the Octagon to take the place of his friend and training partner, Hermes Franca, in a main event bout against Joe Lauzon. Things got personal between Franca and Lauzon in an internet forum feud, so it seems only fitting that a friend of Franca be the one to replace him in an attempt to win bragging rights for his side.
In our exclusive interview Stephens talks about what this fight means, how it will be won, and what’s next for the “Lil’ Heathen” in the UFC.
CagePotato.com: You’re stepping in for Hermes Franca on somewhat short notice, but you were training with him to help him prepare for Lauzon, right?
Yeah. I was down in South Beach training with him, and in Ft. Lauderdale, as well. I travel a lot to train.
How did you guys get hooked up? And is that why the UFC asked you to step in for him, because you guys were training partners?
No, we have the same manager. My manager, when he mentioned that he had Hermes, I said, ‘He’s a great fighter. I’d love to train with him.’ And when he told Hermes that he had signed me, Hermes said he had a fight coming up and he was going out to San Diego to train and since I had a fight coming up too we connected out there and started training together.
But when he got hurt I actually called up my manager, Reed Wallace, and requested the fight with Joe Lauzon.
Did it have anything to do with the little feud that erupted between Joe and Hermes on the UG?
Yeah, Hermes is like a brother to me now and Joe Lauzon was talking a bunch of crap about him. I know Hermes was training really hard for that fight and he was ready to kick his ass. Hermes doesn’t talk a lot of smack, man. He just does his job. I just felt like I wanted to be the one to step up there for him and take the opportunity.
So then the bad blood between them on the UG, that was real?
Yeah, he was talking trash on Hermes. You know, Hermes is not the kind of guy to talk bad about anybody. He’s a respectful dude. He gives everybody credit and he just fights. So I didn’t like to see that.
How do you think you match up against Lauzon?
Joe Lauzon’s just another fight for me. A lot of guys want to try and take me down and work their jiu-jitsu, and then once they find out that they can’t submit me they fold. I bring a lot of pressure. So I think it’s a good match-up for me and it’s a good opportunity. I’m just ready to get in there and shock the world, brother.
I saw your fight with Rafael Dos Anjos and it looked like he was using jiu-jitsu pretty effectively and might be on his way to a decision until you knocked him out in the third. Did you feel like you had to knock him out to keep it from going to the judges?
No, the turning point was when he tried to armbar me and he couldn’t and then I landed those elbows on him. I think I broke his will. I think that’s when he realized he couldn’t submit me and he got blasted with a bunch of elbows and in the third round, even without the knockout, I feel like I would have taken control. But I’m always looking for the knockout, always looking to throw the lead that I have in my hands.
Do you think you’ll be able to break Joe Lauzon’s will?
I think so. He’s been TKO’d three times. I think that shows a weakness. I’m not trying to talk trash on him, but to me if you’ve been TKO’d three times it means you fold when the pressure’s brought on you. And he’s going to feel my pressure. He’s going to feel how hard I hit.
After this fight, if you’re not hurt, I hear the UFC will let you still fight Efrain Escudero in April, like you were originally scheduled to.
Yeah, I asked my manager to make sure I’m still good to fight Efrain as well. You know, I’d like to fight every three months, if I could. It keeps me going, keeps me in shape, and keeps me on top of my game. I want to get better every time I step in the Octagon. Every time I fight I want to make sure people see my improvements and see that I’m working my ass off to get closer to the top.
Are you not at all worried that you’ll be too banged up after this fight to get back in the gym and prepare properly?
No, I’ve fought banged up before. I’ll take a week or two off if I need to, and then I’ll get right back in there and train hard again. I’m young. I heal very quickly. I’m not one of those guys who takes a lot of time off. I take a week off, then that’s it. I’m right back in the gym and getting in shape.
How did you get started in MMA?
My grandfather was always watching these videos of ultimate fighting type stuff, real old school stuff. I was always drawn to it. I think I was a born fighter. When I was sixteen, there’s a place out [in Iowa] that was like an amateur, underground fight thing. Josh Neer was just destroying everybody and I heard about him and he told me to come out and watch. I did and I thought, ‘Man, I’m a better fighter than that.’
I came back the next week and I fought and I won. Ever since then it’s like I’m hooked. My grandfather has passed away now, but he was a big inspiration to me. I think he’s why I got involved.
Did you wrestle growing up in Iowa?
I wrestled as a little kid. Then I moved out to Norwalk when my dad got custody of me and I kind of steered away from it because my mind wasn’t right. I was going through a lot of stuff. But then I wrestled again my senior year of high school. I was never the best wrestler or best athlete or anything like that, but I worked hard and didn’t quit.
Okay, one last thing I have to ask you. The nickname “Lil’ Heathen” is pretty sweet. Where did that come from? And please don’t tell me it’s just because it rhymes with your last name.
That was something that I got when I was a little kid. My mom gave it to me, actually. I was just really wild, so my mom called me a little heathen because I was always crazy and getting into trouble, doing things other kids didn’t do, just really rambunctious and troublesome. So that’s what I was. The little heathen.
(BF)
Login or register to post comments
DIGG THIS 
Comments
Curtis Sample Says:
FIRST BITCHES
TUF Guy Says:
Curtis Sample is a tool.
Anonymous Says:
Can't wait to see Lauzon put the stomp on your punk ass.
manutdfan Says:
Why always with the "first" stuff. Unless the Bens are handing out t-shirts or tickets for it, who f u c k i n g cares?
Jay Smith Says:
This should be a really good fight. And I was really the first comment.
Derekrva Says:
Nothing against Stephens, but I'm a bigger Lauzon fan. Hopefully Lauzon can read those telegraphed strikes Stephens is prone to.
Dana White is a HOMO Says:
I dont know who to bet on in this fight. They both look pretty good.
Anonymous Says:
Your First! Congratulatio.... Oh wait, no-one fucking cares. Retard.
Jugger Says:
I'm still waiting for schnetzler to do his rhyming nicknames for this card. I'm curious to see what he's got for Luigi Fioravanti and Denis Stojnic.
Machete for hands Says:
the best part of waking up is folgers in your cup
Anonymous Says:
FIRST BITCHES!
Anonymous Says:
jeremy stephens doesnt telegraph his punches he only telegraphed that one uppercut and to say that based off that one punch is retarded and simply a waste of energy....ive talked to stephens a couple times and he is a really good guy in and out of the cage..he's fought a couple friends of mine back in iowa too and said he is a really good ambassador to the sport and to iowa....i hope he gets this win and shuts J-Lau up
toolverine Says:
I like how he says Franca doesn't talk shit when it was there to read and plain as day.
WAR Lauzon
TUF Guy Says:
This is the REAL TUF Guy . Just for the record. For the past few days my legend outgrew me more than I can imagine. There are more people using the name "TUF Guy" now than ever. I feel honored to have made a difference in your guys pathetic lives.
Also, the address to my GYM , everyone knows by now. So instead of chaleging me on here, just show up, either Mond. Wedn. or Friday. So if you are gonna do something, dont' brag on here just come to the gym. I am a cool guy, I'll submit you or knock you out, you'll get laughed at and then you can just leave. It's fairly easy. At the gym people know that I've been chalanged millions of times and that I post under the name TUF Guy, so just ask for TUF Guy.
I also posted my picture on here, ask OBI or UFC Fan. I think they remember. I posted my picture a few times, I am a proud roid user, so you know I got a Gods body. Now I know people have been begging for my picture on here. The way I see it, it's a homosexual thing by now. Here is my offer. If you want me to post a picture, show yourself first coward. Give me that name and location of your gym (Chi Town area only please) and show your picture otherwise STFU and don't chalange me to a keyboard beating contest, because you'll take a loss in that for sure.
I am truly honered to have affect your REAL life over the internet. Now if you want me to affect your jaw in REAL life , well you kno whatz up!
Kadumel Says:
Chi Town only please. His mom doesn't drive him anywhere else yet.
you are 23, 5'8, and MAYBE 170 lbs soaking wet. I would probably tombstone piledrive you.
LukeTheDuke Says:
Comment fight! Comment fight! Comment fight! Comment fight! Comment fight!
LukeTheDuke Says:
i would sprout 6 extra limbs, submit both of you by 3 legged triangle choke and then switch on and off farting in your mouths until you woke up and then i would shove your fucking dell up your ass (or whatever PC you fancy). thats what i call downloading some Comment Hurt baby.
- LtD
P.S. tuf guy would probably gas out from his big roidy muscles in about 2 minutes.
TUF Guy Says:
I never had a comment fight, I just OWN people when it comes to comments. Because of 2 facts:
- I posted my picture on here ( I think OBI and I are the only ones with a face on here, nobody else has the balls to show themselved )
- People know where to find me 3 days a week
- I had thousands of threats of getting my ass kicked, shot, broken, etc... but that is getting old
- I literally have an effect on peoples emotions on here. There are guys probably crying FOR real cause they know that they CAN'T This .. ta na na na cant's touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
My, my, my music hits me so hard
Makes me say "Oh my Lord"
Thank you for blessing me
With a mind to rhyme and two hype feet
It feels good, when you know you're down
A super dope homeboy from the Oaktown
And I'm known as such
And this is a beat, uh, you can't touch
I told you homeboy (You can't touch this)
Yeah, that's how we living and you know (You can't touch this)
Look at my eyes, man (You can't touch this)
Yo, let me bust the funky lyrics (You can't touch this)
Fresh new kicks, advance
You gotta like that, now you know you wanna dance
So move, outta your seat
And get a fly girl and catch this beat
While it's rolling, hold on
Pump a little bit and let 'em know it's going on
Like that, like that
Cold on a mission so fall them back
Let 'em know, that you're too much
And this is a beat, uh, you can't touch
Yo, I told you (You can't touch this)
Why you standing there, man? (You can't touch this)
Yo, sound the bell, school is in, sucka (You can't touch this)
Give me a song, or rhythm
Make 'em sweat, that's what I'm giving 'em
Now, they know
You talking about the Hammer you talking about a show
That's hype, and tight
Singers are sweating so pass them a wipe
Or a tape, to learn
What's it gonna take in the 90's to burn
The charts? Legit
Either work hard or you might as well quit
That's word because you know...
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
Break it down! (Music breaks down) Stop, Hammer time!
Go with the funk, it is said
That if you can't groove to this then you probably are dead
So wave your hands in the air
Bust a few moves, fun your fingers through your hair
This is it, for a winner
Dance to this and you're gonna get thinner
Move, slide your rump
Just for a minute let's all do the bump, bump, bump
Yeah... (You can't touch this)
Look, man (You can't touch this)
You better get hype, boy, because you know (You can't touch this)
Ring the bell, school's back in (You can't touch this)
Break it down!Stop, Hammer time!
You can't touch this )
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
Break it down! (Nice pants, Hammer) Stop, Hammer time!
Every time you see me
The Hammer's just so hype
I'm dope on the floor and I'm magic on the mic
Now why would I ever stop doing this?
With others making records that just don't hit
I've toured around the world, from London to the Bay
It's "Hammer, go Hammer, MC Hammer, yo Hammer"
And the rest can go and play
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
You can't touch this
LukeTheDuke Says:
why would i post a picture of myself on here? what do i have to prove to the cagepotato nation? nothing....
TUF Guy Says:
LukeTheDuke Says:
Thu, 02/05/2009 - 10:22
why would i post a picture of myself on here? what do i have to prove to the cagepotato nation? nothing....
**************************
I figure you couldn't prove anything with your picture even if you wanted to, so it's a win win situation for you just to stay lame
rokabee Says:
My pic is on here....your just a little man with a motorcycle, who fucks fat chicks. You aint shit.
skidding Says:
TUF Guy, it's Thursday, don't you have to shave Jason Guida's balls tonight?
LukeTheDuke Says:
Let me guess, your a short little guy who has a small person complex so he started taking steroids (proudly, "cos look what they've done for me, Now I prove that I'm big and 'TUF' by posting my sweaty shirtless picture on the forums at Cagepotato") to bulk up. Now your heart rate and blood pressure skyrocket in situations like these because truthfully they're the closest thing to a fight you've ever come to! (And from the roids) You probably do gas out when you try to fight people from wildly swinging your short little 46 pound arms around in circles.
My advice to you: get some outside time (after your boner goes away) and do some running, get off the roids because your body is gonna hit back HARD when your 50. Don't take shortcuts at the gym it will only take longer to actually get in shape.
No offense to CP but these comments are a breeding ground for idiocy.
LtD says, "Fuck Y'all"
LukeTheDuke Says:
I think you got cagepotatowned.
rokabee Says:
Okay, if you wanna see who TUF Guy really is.
Go to myspace, in search type in TUF Guy.
His is the first one that comes up.
myspace dot com / itralian
Got it!
TUF Guy Says:
Why are you guys so angry? Just let it go. All you idiots are delusional FOR REAL FOR REAL. You guys make up stuff you wish was true, then you play it in your head, for some reason you type it up and post it on here. Then some of you idiots actually come back and congratulate YOURSELF on the comment you made. Now that has "PATHETIC" written all over it.
"your body will hit back hard when you're 50" SO what? That's why I'm hitting hard till I am 50 you loser. 50 is 25 years away, serriously who cares?
When I am 50 and I am living in the Bahamas, I won't have to worry about kicking ass anymore, I am sure I'll be tired of it by then, I'll have new hobbies like Shark Fishing and moutain climbing.
TUF Guy Says:
Myspace is for FAGS. But thanks for wasting your time in my honor oh five footed one.
LukeTheDuke Says:
I'm a certified personal trainer, I can help you. Believe me I need clients with the economy the way it is.
(please don't take the "cagepotatowned" comment seriously)
TUF Guy likes fat chicks Says:
I do love fat chicks, and as you can tell they are the only friends I have. They are fag hags, cause, well, yes, I am a fag. Can't you tell by my super cool Honda Davidson Shadow? Vrrrrrooooom vrrrrooooom. Come on big boy let's take a ride.
Clozer Says:
Wow, an ongoing brow beating in every forum.
TUF Guy Says:
Luke who could take you serriously with a name like that?
Kadumel Says:
Rofl TUF Guy can't even begin to keep up with all the smack being talked about him.
LukeTheDuke Says:
Its a nickname...Tuf Guy(?) ask me anything about fitness go ahead
Clozer Says:
Luke, what is n a s m?
Clozer Says:
That didn't work out to well. I googled it right after myself and it pulled it up. LOL PISS!!!
LukeTheDuke Says:
national association/academy of sports medicine
MMANewbExpert Says:
This "shock the world" crap is getting annoying. It's one thing when the Arizona Cardinals say it. It's a totally different thing when Jeremy Stephens says it about fighting Joe Lauzon. You can't shock the world if nobody is paying attention to what you're doing...
My post is going to SHOCK THE WORLD!
LukeTheDuke Says:
ask me something good: like how much protein does a normal person need (.8grams per kilogram body weight) or the ammount of reps/sets in a hypertrophy workout (8-12/3-4), or what does H.I.T.T. stand for? (high intensity interval training)
Young, Hairy and Mexican Says:
***Attn both Bens***
Please ban this TUF Guy
He is ruining your site. Kthxbai!
Clozer Says:
How does H.I.T.T. stand for high intensity interval training? Duke, did you just get done with your 24 hour fitness classes at the 24 hour University?
Derekrva Says:
I wasn't implying earlier that Stephens always telegraphs his punches, but he likes to go big a lot, leading to slower power punches. I like Stephens, but I always like to see people get tapped and I think Lauzon might do just that Saturday night.
LukeTheDuke Says:
@Clozer haha no im about to finish my 6 month course at NPTI. www.nptifitness.com its good program with alot of good information with campuses all over the country. you should check it out.
LukeTheDuke Says:
(oh my bad i mean HIIT) yea i look like a douche for that one
Anonymous Says:
TUF and Luke the duke should and get a room, homos
LukeTheDuke Says:
damn your all shrouded in anonymity your so awesome...
SiDeBuRnZ Says:
TUF guy has awesome facial hair?
Anonymous Says:
You're all idiots. The old timers who think they have a claim to the site (you know who you are), the FIRST BIOTCHES!!!! crowd (seriously guys, you WILL remain single for the rest of your life) and the smack talking morons who insist on punctuating every sentence with as many expletives as possible. whilst demonstrating how little knowledge they truly have.
You all stopped being funny years ago, and we all know that arguing on the internet is like the special olympics. Even if you win, you're still a retard.