“I have a great fiancée,” Jeremy Stephens told MMA Junkie about his long-time partner at UFC 215 media day. “Not only is she beautiful, but she has an amazing heart. She understands this is what I do, and this is what I love. These opportunities aren’t going to be knocking 15 years from now.” The 38-year-old’s words hold a lot of meaning because he knows what it’s like to come from a broken home. 

Before he could fight inside the Octagon, he had to fight life’s battles at only 8 when his parents got divorced. He constantly had to switch from one school to the other and change apartments, shelters, while also living in his mother’s car. Finally, the ‘Lil Heathen’ moved to Norwalk with his father when the former was in 5th grade. Perhaps that is why he values his wife, Cindy Lopez’s contribution. 

Jeremy Stephens’ wife and kids

The Iowa native has been married to Lopez since September 2017, and they have three children. Unfortunately, they lost their fourth child, and Lopez posted a heartfelt note on her Instagram account regarding the same.

The couple is always supporting each other and posting about each other, be it on their birthday or anniversary. The 28-19-0 Lightweight never shies away from talking about his wife and daughters, as well as his parents. He openly spoke about his mental health as well recently before his fight at Iowa against Mason Jones. “Losses make bosses,” he began while speaking to Full Send MMA about his mental state.

Stephens also mentioned the loss of his 4th child and mentioned how his friends turned on him. “I have been fighting my whole life. I was never born with a silver spoon. I was built with pain.” He said. So let’s see the hardships that forged his steel-like mentality. 

Jeremy Stephens’ early life and background

On June 27th, 2024, Stephens had posted a heartbreaking letter for his mother. He wrote a whole note on the hardships he went through and what his mother endured. However, he thanked his grandmother and his mother, saying, “Thank you, GOD, my mom, and my grandmother Charlene Hildreth for being a huge staple in my life!”He has also posted about his Grandfather, Ron Stephen, along with his father. He has never hidden anything about the struggles of living with divorced parents or his mother’s relationship with dru–.

The Mac Life published a video in 2021 where Stephens opened up about his mother. He said that she was addicted to dru since he was young. He said she was addicted, “for as long as I can remember. There’s been chaos in my family home.”

Before his marriage to Lopez, his mother had gone into the deep end and he had not spoken to her the week before he fought Calvin Kattar. He saw his mother’s health deteriorate, especially during COVID-19. Stephens’ childhood trauma was so intense that he admitted to being an alcoholic, but stopped drinking gradually as he saw his mother’s state. “I wanted to deal with the raw emotions,” he said in the same interview during media day. Thankfully, his grandfather saved him as a child when Stephens was introduced to MMA by him. 

Now he is returning to his hometown to fight against Mason Jones. This return is happening after his contract ends with UFC in 2022. He is back for another showdown after settling everything in his family and putting his demons to rest. Are you excited to see him fight again? Tell us your thiughts in the comments below.