Prediction: Mason Jones inside the distance
Jeremy Stephens vs Mason Jones is one of those matchups where legacy name value can cloud what’s actually going on stylistically. Stephens is the veteran with fight-ending power, but beyond that, his game hasn’t evolved much in years. What you see is what you get: heavy hooks, a kill-or-be-killed mentality, and very little in the way of defense or adaptability. Against someone like Mason Jones, who brings pressure, durability, and a more complete MMA game, that’s not going to be enough over the course of three rounds.
Stephens’ path to victory is singular: land something big early. His power is real—still dangerous even this late in his career—and when he’s allowed to plant and swing, he can hurt anyone. But the issue is how wide open he leaves himself in those moments. There’s no head movement, no defensive guard to speak of, and when he misses, he misses hard.
Jones is all pressure. He moves forward with volume, throws combinations with purpose, and breaks opponents down with attritional work over time. He doesn’t need to rely on one big shot because his output and cardio force a pace that a flat-footed striker like Stephens can’t keep up with. The striking gap here isn’t just about who hits harder—it’s about variety, setups, and control. Jones throws straights, mixes in kicks, and blends his striking with takedown attempts in a way that Stephens simply doesn’t prepare for. He fights with a pace and intent that forces you to either fold or find a plan B, and Stephens doesn’t have that second gear.
On top of that, the grappling is a clear X-factor. Jones isn’t a wrestler by identity, but he’s very capable in the clinch and on the ground. He’ll mix in level changes, grind against the cage, and drag the fight into places where Stephens has struggled for years. There’s no real takedown defense from Stephens once the initial sprawl fails, and off his back, he offers little more than attempts to muscle up or survive. Jones doesn’t need to dominate in wrestling—just the threat alone is enough to make Stephens more hesitant, and once that pressure starts to break him down, the fight opens up even more for Jones to land.