Jeremy Stephens is no stranger to welcoming fighters to a new weight class.

He did it five years ago when the now-retired Marcus Davis wanted to try his hand at lightweight. Davis got knocked out in the first round and subsequently was released from the UFC.

Ex-bantamweight champ Renan Barao’s career doesn’t hang in the balance. But a loss to Stephens definitely wouldn’t bode well for his long-term career prospects.

Stephens (24-12 MMA, 11-11) thinks Barao (33-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) is already on the decline and simply has to apply downward pressure to come out victorious when they meet at UFC Fight Night 88, which takes place May 29 at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center. The event airs on FOX Sports 1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

“I think it’s a man who’s mentally broke,” Stephens told MMAjunkie Radio. “Him coming up (to featherweight) fighting me, a knockout artist, he’s been knocked out twice by a littler guy who doesn’t hit nowhere as hard as me.

“It’s going to be a great night. I’m going to go in there and knock him out and give the fans what they want.”

Barao returns to the cage for the first time since a failed bid to win back the UFC bantamweight title against now ex-champ T.J. Dillashaw this past July. The Brazilian fighter was knocked out by Dillashaw in May 2014 and then was removed from a rematch three months later when he suffered complications from a weight cut.

Stephens is 4-3 since making his own move from lightweight to featherweight. Most recently, he fell short on points against Max Holloway at this past December’s UFC 194.

Both fighters are looking for a rebound, but Stephens thinks he’s going to send Barao packing.

Check out the full video above.

For more on UFC Fight Night 88, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM Ch. 93, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.