MEXICO CITY – Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 17 main-event matchup against Yair Rodriguez has lit a fire under Jeremy Stephens.

The perenial UFC contender is known for his fiery fighting style and attitude, but there’s something that has “Lil Heathen” particularly jacked up. Maybe it’s fighting in Mexico or maybe it’s his opponent Yair Rodriguez – or a combination of both.

UFC on ESPN+ 17 takes place Saturday at Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City. The card streams on ESPN+.

While on the surface it might seem like Stephens (28-16 MMA, 15-15 UFC) will enter “enemy territory” when he faces Rodriguez (11-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) in Mexico, the American-born featherweight is proud of his Mexican heritage.

Fighting in a location he is deeply tied to has seemingly inspired Stephens, who considers it an “honor” to fight in Mexico.

“It’s just an honor let alone to be fighting in Mexico,” Stephens told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I have roots here. My daughter is Mexican. My wife is Mexican. I love Mexican food and I love the people, most of all.”

Radiating confidence, Stephens emphasized his belief he is better than Rodriguez. Saturday night, Stephens expects it to be a boy versus a man when the cage door closes.

“He’s a kid,” Stephens said. “He’s a chamaco and I’m a man. I fight like a man. I don’t run. I’m here to whoop his ass. I’m here to embarrass him and outpoint him every single step of the way.”

In his most recent outing, Stephens lost a unanimous decision to Zabit Magomedsharipov at UFC 235 in March. The 33-year-old fighter Stephens draws comparisons between Magomedsharipov and Rodriguez.

“Yair can’t (expletive) wrestle for (expletive),” Stephens said. “He’s in trouble. I’m going to slam him on his head and cut him open. He thinks Frankie Edgar swole his eye? Wait until I cut him open.”

“…What is new generation? What are you going to show me that I haven’t seen me or Bruce Lee hasn’t shown on a movie. What the (expletive) are you going to show me that’s new? I just fought a guy who’s just like you that’s better than you that you were afraid to fight.”

His opponent “Pantera” Rodriguez has not competed since November 2018. The 26-year-old featherweight defeated Chan Sung Jung in highlight-reel fashion with a behind-the-back up elbow with one second left in the fight.

When the fight was offered, Stephens claimed there was some hesitation on Rodriguez’s part to put his name on the dotted line. In Stephen’s estimation, Rodriguez will end up being on the receiving end of a violent knockout Saturday night.

“It took Yair a week and a half to even sign the contract,” Stephens said. “You know him about them contracts. Boy, he’s always ducked, dodged, dipped, and dipping and dodging again. They told him and I immediately accepted. I wanted to be in the altitude. I wanted to come down here. I know the type of fans and everything they bring.

“It’s a new journey and experience and I embrace it. I’m enjoying every minute. I’m relaxed, cool as a cucumber, and I can’t wait to put his brains into the canvas Saturday night.”