Jeremy Stephens is well aware of the struggles former UFC fighters have experienced under the PFL banner.
At 2022 PFL 1, Stephens will make his debut against Clay Collard following his exit from the UFC, the place he called home since 2007. After 33 fights over 14 years, Stephens is entering the next chapter of his career with the PFL, and will carry the lessons learned from watching a pair of former UFC champions in their debuts with the promotion.
“Lil’ Heathen” is the latest of a few UFC veterans to make the switch to the promotion. Some have seen success, such as Antonio Carlos Junior, who became champion in 2021, but other high-profile signees struggled to secure victories in their debuts, such as former UFC champions Anthony Pettis and Fabricio Werdum. It’s something that Stephens is aware of and has used to stay grounded ahead of his own debut in PFL.
