Jeremy Stephens (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Jeremy Stephens has forged a reputation over the years for being an aggressive and dangerous fighter, and the featherweight contender has outlined why that is.

Stephens will battle fellow Max Holloway tonight at UFC 194, in what will match the division’s #8 145’er against the #5 positioned respectively. Recently Stephens spoke to UFC.com, and while discussing the discussing the mindset he has in the cage, he stated:

“In that 15 or 25 minutes, that’s when I get to let loose,” Stephens said. “I’m not a father, I’m not a nice guy, I’m there to handle my job and take care of my family. To me, going into the Octagon is like going to war. This guy’s trying to kill me and take food off my table. And I’m gonna do anything it takes and everything it takes to survive in there.

“That’s just my fighting style. I like to get after it and make sure I get the job done. And I like to leave a good mark that when people fight me, they don’t ever want to fight me again.”

Stephens (24-11) is coming off a stoppage win over Dennis Bermudez in July. Holloway (14-3), meanwhile, scored a TKO win over Charles Oliveira in August.

UFC 194 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.