It rarely happens that a mixed martial artist gets back into the UFC after moving out of the promotion and competing at other MMA promotions for about three years. But it’s true in the case of Jeremy Stephens. ‘Lil’ Heathens’ began his MMA journey in 2005, and he entered the UFC in 2007 at UFC 71, and went on to rack up a promotional record of 15-18. Stephens then moved to compete at PFL after enduring a 5-fight losing streak in the UFC. Unfortunately, his PFL stint didn’t work well as he ended up with a record of 1-2. Nevertheless, he found the wins that he sought in bare-knuckle boxing, winning all 3 of his BKFC fights, with the last win coming against Eddie Alvarez. And now, Stephens seems ready to step back into the UFC and strive for the lightweight belt. 

But did he succeed in terms of his finances? Stephens went out of the UFC in 2021, a time when accusations of low fighter pay topped every chart. So, does that mean he was one of the fighters who were paid less? Let’s take a look at ‘Lil’ Heathen’s monetary road and find out all about his finances. 

Jeremy Stephens’ 2025 net worth and endorsements

According to reports, Jeremy Stephens’ net worth is around $4 million. Of course, the amount went higher with his recent wins at the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. After all, he earned around $100K for his BKFC debut against Jimmie Rivera, and $200K for his other two fights. These were similar numbers as to what he received at the PFL. Needless to say, there are various other factors that added up to the Des Moines-born mixed martial artist’s $4 million net worth. 

During his previous UFC tenure, Reebok and Venum endorsed the lightweight contender, as he received some hefty monetary compensation from those companies. Monster Energy supported Stephens as well. On top of that, he received backing from Evolve Health Food, a healthy food delivery brand that aligns perfectly with Stephens’ athletic lifestyle. 

But that wasn’t all! ‘Lil’ Heathen’ has few other sources of income. He has been pretty active on social media which ensures he gets brand promotions and endorsements on Instagram and X, further boosting his income. But the cherry on top has to be his merchandise sales. Certain exclusive items like his worn gear are available on some platforms like MILLIONS and have made Stephens’ pockets significantly heavier. 

But how did the fighter from California fare financially during his previous tenure in the UFC? Did he actually become a millionaire during the 15 years he spent as a UFC fighter? Let’s find out all about it! 

How much does Jeremy Stephens earn? UFC payouts & salary

It’s reported that Stephens had earned about $2.3 million in disclosed fight purses in the UFC. His biggest paycheck in the UFC came when he fought Doo Ho Choi at UFC Fight Night 124. The fight ended with Stephens rising victorious with a second-round knockout win. He received $63,000 for showing up for the event, and another $63,000 for the win. And this win was worthy of a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus. 

The bout against Josh Emmett also got him a similar amount, as his win bonus and base salary were exactly the same. But before that, He fought at UFC 215 and defeated Gilbert Melendez via a unanimous decision. And he received $57,000 as his base salary, $57,000 as a win bonus, $50,000 as a Fight of the Night bonus, and an additional $20,000 from brand sponsorships. 

And now, Stephens is set to step back into the Octagon and fight Mason Jones at UFC Des Moines. No doubt, fighting in his hometown has certainly given ‘Lil’ Heathen’ some advantage. But would he be able to use these advantages is something that we’d get to see on Saturday night. 

Do you think Stephens can earn a bit more than what he has previously earned in the UFC at the upcoming Des Moines Fight Night event? Do you believe he can claim a win bonus against Jones? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.