UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens jailed before Friday night fight

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White said Friday afternoon that he expects jailed fighter Jeremy Stephens to keep his Friday night lightweight bout against Yves Edwards on the UFC on FX 5 card in Minnesota’s Target Center.

“He is fighting,” White said in a text message to The Times.

MMA Fighting first reported that Stephens, 26, was arrested by Minneapolis police at the Marriott City Center Hotel in Minneapolis on Friday morning in connection with an out-of-state warrant.

White said the warrant, filed in 2011, was for an assault, and the Hennepin County (Minn.) website classified the warrant as being for an alleged felony.

The UFC website lists Stephens’ hometown as San Diego.

Stephens, nicknamed “Lil’ Heathen,” has fought in the UFC since 2007 and is 20-8 as a mixed martial arts professional.

He has been defeated by decision in his most recent two fights, against lightweight title contenders Donald Cerrone and Anthony Pettis.

White said in a text message to The Times that the UFC plans to have the Stephens-Edwards fight as either the final preliminary bout on Fuel, or as the first bout on the main FX card Friday night, depending upon Stephens’ release time.

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