Featherweight contender Jeremy Stephens matched the longest winning streak of his UFC career in the Fight Night main event at Amway Center in Orlando, making it three straight with a second-round knockout of Josh Emmett. With the one recorded knockdown in the fight, Stephens ties Anderson SIlva’s UFC record of 18 career knockdowns.
„And now we know who the hardest-hitting 145er is,“ Stephens said. „No disrespect, Josh Emmett put me down on my butt. I had to get my wits back, but you cannot break me. I’m unbreakable“.
Jeremy Stephens gets his monumental win with a HUGE LEFT HOOK KO on Josh Emmett! #UFCOrlando https://t.co/UDMO8X5M9b
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 25, 2018
Unfortunately for Emmett, Stephens disregarded that message and kept the forward pressure up in round two, and in the second minute, a left hook put the Californian down. Stephens moved in for the finish, and while he landed two blows to the back of the head as Emmett tried to get up and threw a knee that appeared to graze his downed foe, the fouls were not called and Stephens kept throwing, with there being no controversy about the final elbow that brought in referee Dan Miragliotta to halt the fight at 1:35 of the second round.
With the win, the No. 8-ranked Stephens lifts his record 28-14. The No. 4-ranked Emmett falls to 13-2.
Did Jeremy Stephens strike Josh Emmett with an illegal knee? @dc_mma @dominickcruz and @bisping intensely debate the details of the main event! #UFCOrlando https://t.co/cQxX5So9bb
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) February 25, 2018