MMAOddsBreaker’s Frank Trigg speaks with The Ultimate Fighter 20 featherweight Jeremy Stephens as he prepares for his upcoming main card bout against Charles Oliveira this Friday night (Dec. 12, 2014) at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The talented top 15-ranked featherweight expects a tough test against Oliveira, but he feels he’s going to be dishing out some serious punishment if he can keep this fight in the stand-up realm:
“I just have to set a higher pace than him. I’ve got to mix things up. I’ve got to make sure that if he’s shooting, I’m stuffing and making him pay. Without giving away too much, I just have to outwork him. Higher volume, higher punches. With that being said, I know I have the power, but I’ve just got let things flow. I know when I land I’m gonna be the more damaging striker. Not to take anything from his striking, I just happen to be tight and technical but I know when I let my hands go and I land, he’s going to be wearing it a lot more than I will. And if it does happen to go to the ground, just get back up with wrestling and control position. I’m I’m on top, I’m a big elbow person from like Dave Loiseau and opening big cuts. I’m prepared in all areas and I’m ready to take the risk.”