Michael Johnson, Jeremy Stephens show interest in clash of UFC veterans

Michael Johnson and Jeremy Stephens appear to have mutual interest in a UFC matchup that would land in the record books.

Johnson (19-17 MMA, 11-13 UFC) has been part of the UFC roster since December 2010. Stephens (28-19 MMA, 15-18 UFC) has been with the promotion since his debut in May 2007. They’ve somehow never crossed paths inside the octagon, but it seems both men want that to change.

“I haven’t fought Jeremy Stephens,” Johnson told Helen Yee Sports during a recent interview. “He’s another guy I can go out there and strike with. We’ll see.”

Johnson, who is in the midst of a four-fight losing skid, said he’s currently recovering from injuries that required surgery. He’s looking to get back in the cage in January.

His comments appear to have landed on Stephens’ radar, because on Tuesday “Lil’ Heathen” replied on social media. He’s all in on the fight, but it appears he wants an earlier date (via Twitter):

@Menace155 something wrong with December date? Lmk I’m with it we’ve had some nasty sparring wars, think be worth getting paid for @ufc @seanshelby @danawhite

— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) September 7, 2021

something wrong with December date? Lmk I’m with it we’ve had some nasty sparring wars, think be worth getting paid for

Stephens is in a run spot of his own, as he’s winless in his past six UFC appearances following a 65-second submission loss to Mateusz Gamrot at UFC on ESPN 25 in July.

If the matchup with Johnson and Stephens did come to fruition, it would be combined 60th UFC appearance between the two, setting a new record for shared octagon experience in a single bout.