The Takedown | UFC fans accusing Jeremy Stephens of faking eye injury against Yair Rodriguez are delusional
- The American has been given a 180-day medical suspension by UFC doctors, unless he is cleared for a corneal abrasion by an ophthalmologist
- Fans arguing he could have fought on after eye poke 15 seconds in against Yair Rodriguez are being disrespectful, and clueless
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens may be known as a fighter past his sell-by date, a one-dimensional trash talker, or that guy on the receiving end of Conor McGregor’s famous “who the [expletive] is that guy?” line. But one thing he certainly is not is a faker.
The 33-year-old (28-15, 1 no contest) was treated like the pantomime villain of UFC Fight Night 159 in Mexico City on Sunday after his main event fight with Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez (11-2, 1 no contest) was called off after just 15 seconds.
The fight was deemed a no contest after the 26-year-old Mexican appeared to unintentionally poke or scratch Stephens’ left eye. Referee Herb Dean waived the night’s final bout off with the American unable to open his eye during the ringside doctor’s inspection in the allotted five minutes of recovery time.
The already impatient crowd erupted in anger, chucking plastic cups of beer, popcorn and loose change into the Octagon, with Stephens requiring a security escort back to the changing rooms (UFC commentator Brendan Fitzgerald even had to hide under the desk).
Rodriguez’ post-fight interview called for respect but this was only batted down by louder jeers. It was as if they thought Stephens had used the eye poke to deliberately stop the fight and put himself in this literal mess.