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Sunday, Feb 25, 2018

UFC on FOX 28: Jeremy Stephens Defends Actions Following Controversial Finish

Jeremy Stephens (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Jeremy Stephens’ knockout win over Josh Emmett is being scrutinized, but the featherweight contender is defending his actions in the fight’s final moments.

In the finishing flurry of the UFC on FOX 28 headliner, Stephens appeared to hit Emmett with elbows to the back of the head. The aggressive fighter also threw a knee at Emmett, while the latter was on his knees.

After the bout, however, Stephens had this to say, while discussing the bouts final flurry (quote via MMA Fighting):

“The referee, Dan Miragliotta, came in the back, he said, ‘This is the new unified rules, that if two hands are down, you can lift one hand up [and be able] to knee. That’s okay.’ So if he’s on his knees and one hand is up, it’s okay to throw a knee,” Stephens said. “I’m not a dirty fighter. I never have been, my whole life. I saw an opportunity, I was looking for it.

“I saw exactly what he was going to do. I knew that he was rocked, he had two hands [on the ground], he lifted his hand up and I saw the moment and that’s when I threw the knee. I don’t think the knee even landed, it’s not what hurt him. There was a lot more damage followed up after that. He was even rocked before that. But he did lift his hands and I waited for that hand, and I tried to take advantage of that opportunity. It didn’t land, I missed, but those are the rules in this specific state. I’m not a dirty fighter.”

Emmett, who was coming off a knockout win over Ricardo Lamas, is reportedly going to appeal the fight’s result.

posted by FCF Staff @ 11:24 am
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