Jeremy Stephens Finishes Dennis Bermudez With Jumping Knee
In a catchweight contest at UFC 189, former Ultimate Fighter season 14 hopeful Dennis Bermudez (14-5) met Alliance MMA member, Jeremy Stephens (24-11). “The Menace” had his seven-fight winning streak snapped when he was submitted by Ricardo Lamas at UFC 180. Lil Heathen” looked to end his two-fight skid, which included losses to Cub Swanson and Charles Oliveira.
Immediately, Bermudez went for a takedown, but Stephens shook it off. Stephens blasted Bermudez with a right hand as he was going for a takedown. A right hand connected for Bermudez and Stephens got a cut to the right side of his eye. Bermudez was persistent in his takedown attempts, while Stephens’ back was against the fence.
Bermudez finally got his opponent to the ground. “The Menace” kept throwing short punches to get Stephens back off the cage and move to a choke position. Stephens escaped, but was kneed and kicked in the leg. Blood kept pouring down the right side of Stephens’ face. Bermudez once again vied for a takedown, but Stephens kept his back against the fence. The round ended with a body kick from Bermudez.
Before the second round began, the replays revealed Stephens was cut due to a headbutt. Stephens’ kick smacked the leg of Bermudez. Stephens dropped Bermudez with an uppercut as he was pushing forward. “The Menace” ducked under “Lil Heathen’s” wild haymakers to briefly press him against the fence.
A push kick sent Stephens to the ground and a running knee attempt from Bermudez missed. A superman punch sent Stephens down for a short period of time. Bermudez had Stephens’ back against the cage as he did in the first round. They broke the position and met in the center of the Octagon.
The final frame saw Bermudez mixing it up to land leg kicks. A jumping knee and some follow-up strikes from Stephens put a quick end to that as his opponent was knocked out.
Final Result: Jeremy Stephens def. Dennis Bermudez via TKO – Round 3, 0:32
