Veteran MMA fighter Jeremy Stephens made his Octagon return at UFC Des Moines, but it wasn’t exactly the kind of return he’d have hoped for. Taking on a returning Mason Jones, ‘Lil’ Heathen’ put on a great showing, but unfortunately, Stephens would succumb to a decision loss, but guess what? He left a really good impression on the UFC fans.

After wreaking havoc in the BKFC, where he almost found himself fighting Conor McGregor at one point, Jeremy Stephens decided to make his way back into the UFC. It was his wife, as per his revelation, who pushed him to ping Dana White as he sent a message on the old number he had of the UFC CEO. Stephens wasn’t sure if Dana White wanted to showcase a veteran like him, but guess what? White responded and gave the Des Moines native a fight against Mason Jones.

Well, it’s safe to say that Jeremy Stephens, along with his opponent, Mason Jones, delivered at UFC Des Moines! Unlike in his last fight, where ‘Lil’ Heathen’ tapped out to Mateusz Gamrot in under 65 seconds, his comeback fight went to the distance, and by the looks of it, Stephens could be taking home a $50,000 bonus for his fight, even though he lost via unanimous decision and racked up his 19th UFC loss, which is the most by any fighter in promotional history.

Fans upon witnessing Jeremy Stephens in action had nothing but kind words for the veteran. They appeared to enjoy the fight so much that some even called for Dana White to keep him in the UFC. Here’s what they had to say…

Fans urge Dana White to give Jeremy Stephens a contract

Yes, 38 years old or not, fans loved watching Jeremy Stephens take on Mason Jones. Even though he got handed an uncomfortable record of 19 losses in the UFC, some fans are urging the UFC to sign the veteran up. As one fan stated, “Didn’t look bad for being out of the octagon for 3-4 years. Still fun to watch, throw him a 3 fight contract“. Another fan commented, “Jeremy looked good man. Give him a contract. Hes good for fun fights people love him,” on Instagram.

For the fans, the highlight of the whole fight was the first two rounds, with Jeremy Stephens showing the fans that he’s got game even at an age when most fighters tend to retire. “Those first two rounds were CRAZY,” one fan added in that regard. After witnessing Stephens in action, a user recalled the veteran’s famous moment when he told Conor McGregor that he was the “hardest hitting 145er right there!” Given that it’s been almost four years since Stephens last competed in the UFC, fans were really impressed with his performance. As such, a fan commented, “What a comeback fight for stephens . got that dawg in em.“

Moreover, there were a lot of fans who were disappointed with the card that Dana White and Co. had set up for UFC Des Moines. And guess what? Fans claim that the fight between Jeremy Stephens and Mason Jones stood out among the rest. “Cards been pretty bad so far only highlight on the card sick first couple rounds,” a fan commented in that regard. The fans went as far as to deem that bout between the two returning UFC fighters as the “fight of the night.” 

Well, what do you think about Jeremy Stephens’ return? Let us know in the comments down below!