Rodriguez and Stephens (right) (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens are booked to fight again at UFC Boston this month, and not surprisingly, the lead-up to the bout is already intense.

The featherweights fought at UFC Mexico City last month, but the fight was quickly called off, as Stephens took an eye poke and could not continue. After the bout, Rodriguez insinuated that Stephens exaggerated the injury, and also claimed the veteran could have continued. The two also exchanged words about the fight in a brief, hotel lobby scuffle.

While speaking to Karyn Bryant recently about the upcoming rematch, Stephens said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):

“It brings a whole different fight,” Stephens said. “(The first fight) was a five-rounder, and going into that fight, the mentality was a little bit different. But then coming straight here to a three-round fight, it’s going to be a little more vicious. It’s a different type of fight now, so it’s going to be everything swinging – everything’s going to be swinging to put the lights out.”

“It doesn’t bother me,” said Stephens, while discussing Rodriguez’s comments regarding their first fight’s conclusion. “It’s just going to make it that much sweeter when I put his lights out. It’s a different fight. This is three rounds. I already have the cardio to go five. Now I get to go three. Everything I throw is going to be bad intentions on this kid, so I’m really looking to put him in his place – and all eyes are on me to do it. So like I said, big banger in Boston. We’re going to bring it.”

UFC Boston will take place on October 6th at the TD Gardens. In the headliner, former middleweight champ Chris Weidman will take on light-heavyweight contender, Dominick Reyes.