Preview by Brady Crytzer
There is no bigger question mark in combat sports than the fate of last minute replacement. Originally slated to face tough jiu jitsu black belt Hermes Franca in the main event of UFC Fight Night 17 on Saturday, February 7th, Joe Lauzon now must prepare for an entirely different kind of opponent. Instead of fighting the veteran Franca, Lauzon is now scheduled to meet Des Moines, Iowa’s Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens. Starting as the aging warrior challenging the young upstart, UFN 17’s main event has transformed overnight into a high profile showdown between two of the lightweight division’s best young hopefuls. With one of the most intriguing fights of the new year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its debut on the campus of the University of South Florida in a big way . . . click here for more
