Despite Heavyweights Travis Browne and Bigfoot Silva headlining October’s UFC On FX 5 event, Lightweight Jeremy Stephens managed to steal the show. The morning of fight night, Stephens was arrested by Minneapolis officials for an outstanding warrant out of his home state of Iowa. The warrant alleged that Jeremy had committed felony assault in the falll of 2011. Despite the best efforts of UFC president Dana White, Stephens’ fight against Yves Edwards was eventually cancelled.
Now, that highly anticipated Lightweight tilt is back on at UFC On Fox 5. MMA Weekly confirmed the fight with Stephens’ management on Friday. Edwards’ original opponent John Cholish was forced out of the fight for undisclosed reasons.
Stephens was held by Minnesota and Iowa authorities for just under two weeks before being released on October 17. He was scheduled to appear in court on October 23. Neither he nor his representatives released a statement after that initial court appearance.
Regardless of the incredibly poor form the UFC is showing even booking this fight, the real question will be if the Washington Athletic Commission wants to be known for licensing a fighter facing felony charges for a very violent crime.