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The UFC world is buzzing with fresh drama as a seasoned veteran has thrown down the gauntlet to Conor McGregor, demanding a high-stakes showdown in the Octagon. The Irish superstar, a former two-division champion, hasn’t stepped into the cage competitively since his gruesome leg break during a 2021 trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Though McGregor still has two fights left on his UFC contract, his return date remains shrouded in mystery.
Now, amid the uncertainty, an old rival has emerged from the shadows, vowing to drag “The Notorious” back into the spotlight—whether he’s ready or not.
Jeremy Stephens’ fiery Conor McGregor callout
Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens, a hard-hitting UFC stalwart with a reputation for brutal knockouts, has reignited his long-simmering beef with McGregor. The tension dates back to a fiery faceoff in January, when the pair nearly brawled at a BKFC event following Stephens’ victory over Eddie Alvarez. At the time, McGregor demanded promoter David Feldman greenlight a fight between them, but contractual hurdles stalled the matchup. Now, with Stephens set to return to the Octagon on May 3 in his hometown of Des Moines, Iowa, he’s doubling down on his challenge—and turning up the heat.
In a blistering social media post, Stephens tagged McGregor, the UFC, and BKFC, writing:
“Conor McGregor you cannot run from me. I will find you and I will Kill 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 threat references Stephens’ upcoming bout against ex-Cage Warriors champ Mason Jones, but his sights are clearly set on bigger prey.
Stephens, a 37-year-old veteran with 34 UFC appearances, hasn’t fought in the promotion since 2021 but remains unapologetically confident. His callout capitalizes on McGregor’s prolonged absence, framing the Irishman as hesitant to step back into the fray. While Conor McGregor’s camp has yet to respond, the taunt plays into Stephens’ persona as a relentless agitator—one who thrives on chaos and unfinished business.
For McGregor, the stakes are layered. A fight against Stephens offers a chance to silence critics questioning his hunger, but it also carries risks. Stephens’ power and durability make him a live underdog, and a loss could derail McGregor’s comeback narrative. Meanwhile, the UFC faces a dilemma: prioritize fan-friendly grudge matches or steer McGregor toward legacy-defining bouts?
Will McGregor Answer the Call?
Stephens’ provocation adds fuel to an already volatile chapter in McGregor’s career. Whether the Dublin native views this as a distraction or an opportunity remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: in the fight game, avoiding a challenge this loud is nearly impossible. The ball—and the bravado—is in Conor McGregor’s court.
