Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens continued his climb up the featherweight ladder on Saturday night against Josh Emmett at UFC on Fox at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, USA. Stephens managed to recover from a counter right hand that floored him in the first round. Lil Heathen connected with a slick counter left hand that dropped Emmett early in the second round. The controversy started when Stephens followed up with some crushing elbows on the ground that landed on the back of Emmet’s head. Stephens threw an illegal knee that again appeared to land on the back of the head of his grounded opponent. It took two more elbows directly to the chin to shut Emmet’s lights completely out.
The debate started immediately after the bout with former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz engaging in an intense debate with Daniel Cormier regarding the legality of the knee. Cruz trains with Jeremy Stephens at Alliance MMA. The controversy from this fight could possibly reignite the rivalry between the featherweight’s gyms. Alliance MMA and Team Alpha Male have been embroiled in a long-running feud that was spearheaded by bouts between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber.
Did Jeremy Stephens strike Josh Emmett with an illegal knee? @dc_mma @dominickcruz and @bisping intensely debate the details of the main event! #UFCOrlando https://t.co/cQxX5So9bb
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 25, 2018
Main Card Results
Featherweight: Jeremy Stephens defeated Josh Emmett via KO (punches and elbows) in Round 2 at 1:35
Women’s Strawweight: Jessica Andrade defeated Tecia Torres via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Ilir Latifi defeated Ovince Saint Preux via Technical Submission (standing guillotine choke) in Round 1 at 3:48
Welterweight: Max Griffin defeated Mike Perry via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card Results
Bantamweight: Brian Kelleher defeated Renan Barao via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Women’s Bantamweight: Marion Reneau defeated Sara McMann via Submission (triangle choke) in Round 2 at 3:40
Women’s Strawweight: Angela Hill defeated Maryna Moroz via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Welterweight: Alan Jouban defeated Ben Saunders via KO (punch) in Round 2 at 2:38
Preliminary Card Results (UFC Fight Pass)
Light Heavyweight: Sam Alvey defeated Marcin Prachnio via KO (punch) in Round 1 at 4:23
Bantamweight: Rani Yahya defeated Russell Doane via Submission (arm-triangle choke) in Round 3 at 2:32
Catchweight (126.5 lbs) Alex Perez defeated Eric Shelton via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight: Manny Bermudez defeated Albert Morales via Submission (guillotine choke) in Round 2 at 2:33
UFC on Fox Bonuses
The following fighters were awarded $50,000
Fight of the Night: Alan Jouban vs. Ben Saunders
Performance of the Night: Jeremy Stephens and Illir Latifi
