A high-stakes lightweight showdown ignites the main card of UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Figueiredo, as UFC veteran and Iowa native Jeremy Stephens returns to the Octagon to face rising Welsh talent Mason Jones. This battle of generations features a fan-favorite knockout artist against a young, well-rounded prospect eager to re-establish himself on the UFC stage.

Jeremy Stephens, fighting in his hometown of Des Moines, is a seasoned competitor with 51 professional bouts under his belt. Known for his explosive power, aggressive striking, and legendary durability, Stephens has delivered some of the most memorable knockouts in UFC history. However, the 38-year-old has struggled in recent years, losing six of his last seven UFC fights before a stint in the PFL. Still, with 19 of his 29 career wins coming by knockout, “Lil’ Heathen” remains a dangerous threat whenever the fight stays on the feet.

Mason Jones, a former Cage Warriors double champion, returns to the UFC after a dominant run back in Europe, notching four straight wins with three TKOs. The 30-year-old brings a relentless pace, strong boxing, and underrated grappling. Despite a rocky UFC debut in 2021, Jones showed flashes of elite potential, including a gritty win over David Onama and a Fight of the Night performance in a close loss to Mike Davis. He now looks to capitalize on his momentum and secure a statement victory in his Octagon return.

The stylistic matchup favors Jones if he can survive the early power of Stephens and turn this into a high-volume war. Stephens will likely look to end the fight early with his trademark bombs, but his age, recent inactivity, and declining durability could be factors. Jones, with his youth, cardio, and diverse attack, should be able to weather the storm and take over in the later rounds.

Jeremy Stephens – Last 5 Fights

* Loss vs. Natan Schulte – Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) – Nov 25, 2022
* Win vs. Myles Price – Decision (Split) – Jun 17, 2022
* Loss vs. Clay Collard – Decision (Unanimous) – Apr 20, 2022
* Loss vs. Mateusz Gamrot – Submission (Kimura) – Jul 17, 2021
* Loss vs. Calvin Kattar – KO (Elbows) – May 9, 2020

Mason Jones – Last 5 Fights

* Win vs. Michael Pagani – Decision (Unanimous) – Jul 25, 2024
* Win vs. Bryce Logan – TKO (Punches and Knees) – Feb 23, 2024
* Win vs. Yann Liasse – TKO (Punches) – Oct 14, 2023
* Win vs. Alexandre Ribeiro – TKO (Punches) – Jul 29, 2023
* Loss vs. Ľudovít Klein – Decision (Unanimous) – Jul 23, 2022