What has Stephens done recently to deserve a title shot? Who has he beat to deserve one?
He's lost to Frankie, Holloway, and Swanson. His best win recently has been against Emmett, who still isn't proven against top 10 fighters other than one good win against Lamas.
Stephens doesn't deserve an interim title more than any of the people i've mentioned. He's fine where he is to fight Aldo. At the moment, he has no claim to a shot other than being Dana's opportunistic yes man.
As of now, i'd rather see Mendes, Edgar, Aldo, or Swanson fight Ortega, as they all deserve it more than Stephens.