Bobby Green defeated Jeremy Stephens by submission in the first round at UFC 328. The victory marks Green's third consecutive win, with two of those coming by finish. For Stephens, this continues a difficult stretch as he has not won in the UFC since 2018. Green is now 35-17-1-1 NC, while Stephens falls to 29-23-1 NC.
Bobby Green submitted Jeremy Stephens in the first round at UFC 328 on May 9, 2026, extending his winning streak and dealing another significant setback to a veteran who has struggled to find his footing in recent years.
Green, now 35-17-1 with one no-contest, has won three straight bouts, with two of those victories coming by finish. The latest stoppage only reinforces his credentials as one of the more dangerous finishers in the lightweight division.
Stephens, known as "Lil' Heathen," falls to 29-23 with the loss. The 40-year-old American, who trains out of Alliance MMA, has not recorded a win inside the UFC since 2018, and this defeat extends what has become a prolonged difficult run for one of the organization's longest-tenured fighters. Standing five-foot-nine with a 71-inch reach, Stephens has historically been a volume striker, averaging 3.15 significant strikes landed per minute at 40 percent accuracy, and also showing a willingness to mix in takedowns at a rate of 1.11 per 15 minutes. That offensive output was not enough to keep Green at bay on Saturday night.
Why it matters
- Green's third straight win, with two finishes, positions him as a legitimate contender in a crowded lightweight division.
- Stephens has now gone more than seven years without a UFC victory, raising questions about his path forward at 40 years old.
- The submission finish highlights a potential vulnerability for Stephens, whose grappling defense has been tested as his career has progressed.
- Green's finishing ability over this streak adds urgency to any future matchmaking around him at 155 pounds.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
