Jeremy Stephens steps in for injured Yves Edwards to face Donald Cerrone at UFC on Fuel 3

Rarely are fights improved when one of the two scheduled opponents goes down with an injury but such appears to be the case in terms of a planned bout between UFC lightweights Yves Edwards and Donald Cerrone. Though not yet confirmed by the organization, multiple sources have reported Edwards was forced to withdraw from the May 15 match-up with heavy-handed, hard-nosed Jeremy Stephens stepping up to fill his shoes.

As a result, the two talented 155ers will tussle at UFC on Fuel 3 alongside other pairings such as Igor Pokrajac-Thiago Silva and Chan Sung Jung-Dustin Poirier.

The change was first revealed by MMAJunkie.

The 20-7 Stephens is coming off a Split Decision loss to Anthony Pettis but has racked up a handful of impressive wins throughout his career with success against Rafael dos Anjos, Marcus Davis, Cole Miller, and Sam Stout. Also worth mentioning, “Lil Heathen” Stephens has stopped seventeen of the opponents he’s beaten including fourteen by way of TKO.

A Closer Look at Stephens vs. Pettis

Cerrone had a six-fight winning streak snapped by Nate Diaz in his previous appearance. He holds an overall record of 17-4 with fourteen finishing performances.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC