After dominating the regional scene in the UK as a light heavyweight, Darren Stewart (8-3) joined the ranks of the UFC in late 2016. His first bout was a weird affair with Francimar Barroso in Sao Paulo, eventually ruled a no contest (something Stewart didn’t learn until his return trip touched down in Heathrow). He dropped the rematch to Barroso and, after moving to middleweight, lost his next two fights as well.
In April, with his UFC career on the line, he faced Eric Spicely in Liverpool. In that fight, Stewart was finally able to display the striking that had earned him five stoppages in his perfect pre-UFC record.