BOSTON – Following his victory over Chris Weidman at UFC on ESPN 6 on Friday night, Dominick Reyes felt he banished any remaining doubt that he isn’t next in line for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Despite the quick, brutal knockout of former middleweight champ Weidman (14-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC), UFC president Dana White wasn’t willing to commit to granting Reyes (12-0 UFC, 6-0 MMA) No. 1 contender status.
“He looked good tonight,” Reyes said. “He’s one of the top five guys in the world. We’ll see.”
Followers of MMA have seen this movie before. Twenty fighters have competed against Jones (25-1 MMA, 19-1 UFC). Most, if not all, of these names have claimed they are the one who will hand Jones a loss.
They’ll be the one who’s the champion at the end of the night. They have solved the riddle and will execute.
None have followed up on their word.
After he claimed his spot as the next in line, Reyes was asked what it was that separated him from the pack. Why should MMA fans believe him when they’ve heard this so many times before?
In a passionate pitch, Reyes detailed why he will be the one to dethrone Jones. He pointed to his self-belief and mental fortitude as being two of the x-factors.
“I’d go out there and fight with all my heart,” Reyes said. “I’d fight with all my soul. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m not going to squander it. I’m going to fight until the end.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this. I’m not just going to go out there and not go for it. I’m going to go out there, and I’m going to do everything I can. I’m going to be in his face.”
As for specific tools physically and stylistically, Reyes zoned in on his sharp striking ability. According to Reyes, Jones will have to knock him out in order to get a victory.
“I’ve got these hands,” Reyes said. “People don’t got hands like I’ve got. I’ve got precision lasers. I’m not arching and throwing all this crazy stuff. I can fire like that and knock you out. I’m bringing all that. I’m bringing pressures. I can go forward and backward.
“I got heart, man. I’m not stopping. I’m not stopping unless he puts me out. That’s the only way I’m leaving that octagon if he’s not victorious. He’s going to have put me out.”
With the victory, Reyes stayed undefeated in his professional career. Weidman’s name now tops the list of Reyes victims, which also includes the likes of Volkan Oezdemir, Ovince Saint Preux, and Jared Cannonier among others.
