Jeremy Stephens has returned to the UFC, and he’s making an immediate impact. The seasoned knockout artist, who last fought in the promotion in 2021, has been scheduled to fight in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, on May 3. Rather than being focused entirely on his upcoming fight, ‘Lil’ Heathen’ has set his eyes on a far larger target: Conor McGregor. The 38-year-old has issued a frightening message to the Irishman, stating that he is prepared to settle unfinished business, whether inside the UFC’s Octagon or the cruel world of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC)!
Stephens wrote on social media, “Bkfc @ufc @TheNotoriousMMA you cannot run from me; I will find you, and I will k—l you boy! Your time is up; I got you a front row seat in IOWA too. Wells Fargo event center my hometown. Watch me break another jaw.” The challenge is as straightforward as it gets, and the timing couldn’t be more intriguing, since ‘The Irishman,’ who co-owns BKFC, recently hinted about making his debut in the bare-knuckle fighting league.
With Stephens back under the UFC banner, the pieces are in place for a potential fight between the two, reigniting a rivalry that began more than a decade ago. After all, Stephens has a history with McGregor dating back to their notorious exchange at the UFC 205 media conference in 2016. Back then, ‘Lil’ Heathen’ tried to establish himself as the featherweight division’s hardest-hitting fighter; Conor McGregor responded with the now-iconic statement, “Who the f*** is that guy?” That moment became viral, but Stephens never forgot it. In fact, earlier this year, after defeating Eddie Alvarez at KnuckleMania 5, he and McGregor almost came to blows, promising a one-on-one.
While ‘The Notorious’ encouraged BKFC founder David Feldman to arrange a fight between them, in true Conor McGregor fashion, he vanished with all the hopes of a return even before fans could count 2 Mississippis. But now, with his UFC return, ‘Lil’ Heathen’ has already set the stage for something much bigger. Whether the fight takes place in the UFC or BKFC, one thing is certain: Stephens will not back down, and McGregor will eventually have to answer. But before he answers, fans surely have the urge to share their thoughts on the topic. So, what did the MMA community have to say?
Fans low on trust when it comes to Conor McGregor’s return
As expected, Jeremy Stephens‘ callout of Conor McGregor has sparked intense debate among fight fans. While some are fascinated by the prospect of the two knockout artists finally resolving their disputes inside the Octagon, others doubt the Irishman will ever return to the cage or the BKFC ring. Many fans flatly rejected the idea of ‘The Notorious’ fighting, citing his inactivity and focus on business ventures and controversial exploits. “Thinks Conor will actually come back xD,” one fan commented sarcastically, ridiculing McGregor’s potential return to competition. Another added, “Bro ain’t stepping in the ring,” implying that ‘The Notorious’ had no intention of competing again. The sentiment was widely shared, with one fan writing, “McGregor’s not returning lmao. Hasn’t been doing anything since 21′,” while another simply concluded, “Conor is never fight again bro .”
However, not everyone thinks Conor McGregor is done yet. Some fans questioned Stephens’ decision to provoke the Irish superstar, who is known for making surprise comebacks. “He’s gonna lose in front of his hometown ,” one fan predicted, confident in the former UFC double champion’s ability to defeat ‘Lil’ Heathen’ if they ever fight. Another fan reiterated that Conor McGregor is still a dangerous opponent, saying, “Messing with Conor is probably a bad choice my guy.” Meanwhile, some discounted Stephens’ chances entirely, with one comment stating, “Stephens can’t beat Conor, and whoever thinks he can—please give it a rest.” The conclusion among this group was clear: if McGregor returns, Stephens will surely not be the one to stop him.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding McGregor’s return, Jeremy Stephens has garnered significant support from fans who regard him as a serious threat. Some highlighted how much has changed since their infamous 2016 exchange, when Conor McGregor mocked him with his iconic “Who the f*** is that guy?” statement. “Funny how at one point this was laughable. Now it’s insanely realistic,” one fan commented, referring to Stephens’ revival in bare-knuckle boxing. Others praised his power and durability, with one saying, “The hardest hitter at 145.” Meanwhile, some fans simply want the Irishman to disappear from the spotlight entirely, with one stating bluntly, “McGregor need to go away.” But what do you think? Will Conor McGregor return for a fight? Let us know in the comments.
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