UFC featherweight Jeremy Stephens is gearing up for his next big match up inside the octagon. In the meantime, the fighter has come forward to reveal some details on the upbringing that inspired him to pursue a life in mixed martial arts.
Speaking in the new promotional video provided by the UFC “Fight Night Orlando: Road to the Octagon,” Stephens went into detail about his difficult struggle with poverty as a child. Check out the fighter’s harrowing story below:
“I’ve been fighting since I was 16 in order to basically survive. I grew up in a shelter. I lived in a garbage bag full of clothes and I was getting made fun of. Lived in a car with my mom. I went to 14 different elementary schools, so I was constantly having to kind of defend myself.
“So, to me, that kind of built me to what I am. The pain made me struggle. It made me learn how to harness it and turn it around into a positive. I feel like that is what my life story is all about.
“I have my kids; my beautiful wife. Being a family man is probably one of my greatest accomplishments ever. Now this is your time to step up, be a man, take accountability, take responsibility and go out there and provide for your kids. Teach them a way of life.
“That’s the beauty about kids. They are teaching you stuff about life. Now that I have kids. I cherish the moment and I take care of them. I suck it up. I make changes for them. I’m not an angry person.
“I was angry at one time in my life, but I have learned to use that into a positive and use that and turn it all into love, passion, persistence, dedication. I’m really dedicated to my craft and martial arts; it’s a lifestyle to me.”
Jeremy Stephens is now set to face off against Josh Emmett at UFC on FOX 28. The two mixed martial arts warriors will face off on Feb. 28 inside the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
