Kam Mercer talks about his commitment to Cincinnati Bearcats
Kam Mercer talks about his commitment to Cincinnati Bearcats basketball
Lance Stephenson, who played one season for the University of Cincinnati Bearcats before leaving for the NBA, needed 64 seconds to choke out fellow former NBA player Michael Beasley May 23 at Brand Risk 14, an influencer mixed martial arts event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Stephenson, whose nickname is “Born Ready,” forced Beasley to tap out about one minute into Round 1.
In 2022, Stephenson signed with the Indiana Pacers and concluded his 10-season NBA career. In January of that year, Stephenson came off the bench to score 20 consecutive points during the first quarter of the Pacers’ loss to the Brooklyn Nets, and finished the game with 30 points.
Stephenson also played for the Pacers from 2010 to 2014 and again in 2017 and 2018. Stephenson averaged 12.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 34 games for UC during the 2009-10 season.
Former NFL quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel also made his MMA debut at the same event, dominating social media influencer Bob Menery in a first-round stoppage win.


