10 Questions With Jeremy Stephens (3/10/2009)

[DarrickPatrick]

10 Questions With Jeremy Stephens (by Darrick Patrick)

Jeremy "Lil' Heathen" Stephens is a professional mixed martial artist who has competed in organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Midwest Cage Championships, Greensparks Full Contact Fighting, Title Fighting Championships, Xtreme Kage Kombat, and Downtown Destruction. At the time of this interview, his next scheduled match is against Efrain Escudero at UFC Fight Night 18: Condit vs. Kampmann on April 1st, 2009.

Darrick: What was the road that led you to professional mixed martial arts competition?

Jeremy: I was always an athletic kid and my grandfather was the one who introduced me to the sport by watching old school UFC tapes. It always felt like I was a born fighter, I was really attracted to the sport of combat and the way they displayed it made it a lot deeper than just fighting. I felt like I could be one of those guys who could compete and do well. So, later on when I was sixteen I fought in an amateur show out at a local club where they held fights every Friday. I fought that once, immediately became addicted, and haven't stopped competing ever since.

Darrick: In your experience so far, what brings you the most fulfillment out of MMA?

Jeremy: What brings me the most fulfillment is the discipline and growth as a person you achieve when you are clear-minded and focused. I feel I have an advantage being of clear mind, body, and soul. I escalate my potential every time I go to the gym and also every time I step into the Octagon.

Darrick: Your next scheduled match is against Efrain Escudero on April 1st. What are your thoughts about this upcoming fight?

Jeremy: For this upcoming match I'm very excited to get a chance to come right back after a loss and step in there having a complete training camp this time. To show people what I'm really capable of. I wasn't training properly for my last fight and it was on short notice. So I really have to do this for myself during this fight - go out there, just beat him down in spectacular fashion, and get right back on top of my game.

Darrick: Who are a few of the people in the sport that you highly respect?

Jeremy: Josh Neer, Hermes Franca, Diego Sanchez, and the guys who really help me train. I feel like when I am around these people they open my mind to growth and further my game. These guys are older, very wise, and have very positive energy to be around. I feel like every time that I'm around them good things come from that experience.

Darrick: Any words of advice for other individuals looking to compete in MMA?

Jeremy: Train hard, make sure you give one hundred percent, and fight with your heart and soul. Stay disciplined and focus on the life of Jiu-Jitsu from the great people who laid it out for us in order to be able to learn the perfect science of fighting. I believe Jiu-Jitsu has the perfect science behind all of the techniques and ways to win a fight.

Darrick: Who are some of the people that greatly influenced you while growing up?

Jeremy: Gene Hildreth was my grandfather who introduced me to the sport and to wrestling. Along with my uncle Geno Jr., these guys took me in at a really bad time and showed love to me. They really believed in me and helped me become a man. Also, Josh Neer for pushing me to come to the gym, stay focused, and to train hard. As I would train harder and harder, good things came to me instead of being out on the streets causing trouble and wasting my talent.

Darrick: Outside of martial arts, what are your other interests?

Jeremy: I definitely like being around the ocean, traveling, fishing, hunting, and eating food. I really enjoy the outdoors a lot. While growing up I hunted and fished with my family, so it always relaxes me and puts me in a great mood. Other than that, I do like to go out and enjoy myself from time to time when I can. Most of all, I like to eat food 'cause it tastes good and fills my belly.

Darrick: When you're no longer amongst the living, how would you most like to be remembered?

Jeremy: Family is the most important thing in my life, I feel like I share the best times with all of my family and they know me the best. I have a few close friends that I share a lot of my life with as well. So, I'd say my family and close friends would probably say that I lived free and open-minded. Always a gentleman and that I was the richest poor guy to ever live. I have a lot of memories with my family and great times. I don't worry about money because it comes and goes, but by the memories is how I'll be remembered and I'll take that to the grave.

Darrick: Tell us something about you that most people don't know.

Jeremy: Most people probably don't know that that I am having a daughter who is coming May 1st. Her name is Gianna Leah-Lynn Stephens and she is my sky. Probably after that, I'll have three or four more. I love family and want them to have the best life growing up. That's another way I'll be remembered when I pass on.

Darrick: What is your oldest memory?

Jeremy: My earliest memory would be running on the levy down in the river bottoms with my three cousins Anthony, Jake, and Matt Stephens. We used to play at my grandma's house almost every weekend. The family would get together to grill out and we would run wild causing terror on the neighborhood.

FOR OTHER EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS BY DARRICK PATRICK:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=4974388&blogID=343519835

You can also check out Jeremy Stephens in the following places:

Official Jeremy Stephens MySpace Profile:

http://www.myspace.com/lilheathenstephens

Jeremy Stephens on Fight Finder:

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Jeremy-Stephens-12179

Jeremy Stephens Photo Gallery at Sherdog.com:

http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/12179