There was no matchup at UFC Fight Night 124 more highly anticipated than the tilt between Jeremy Stephens and Doo Ho Choi.

With both featherweights known for engaging in full-throttled, throw caution to the wind-type ruckus, it was all but guaranteed their main event clash in St. Louis would be a violent shootout for as long as it lasted. And that's precisely what transpired.

As soon as the referee stepped aside Stephens and Choi got to getting down and the fisticuffs were flying with force. Stephens unloaded a barrage of heavy looping shots while "The Korean Superboy" returned fire at a steady clip. Both men found the other's chin in the opening round, which only amplified the expectation someone would get clipped in the second frame.

And it would be Stephens who provided the violent sleeps in St. Louis.

Fancied it to go longer than two rounds but had the right winner picked. Jeremy Stephens was an underdog with some serious bite at #UFCSTL. pic.twitter.com/UaGCBf7E09

— Simon Head (@simonhead) January 15, 2018

Midway through the second frame "Lil Heathen" unleashed a huge right hand that sent Choi crashing to the deck dazed and wounded. No sooner than the prospect hit the canvas did Stephens follow up with some brutal ground and pound that forced the referee to step in and wave off the action.

It was another violent finish for a fighter who has made such things his hallmark.

With the win Stephens has now found success in back-to-back showings, while Choi has been dealt two-straight losses inside the Octagon.