UFC light heavyweight division was the most stacked division ever in the history of the sport. With certified legends like Jon Jones, Rampage Jackson, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin, Randy Couture, Wanderlei Silva, Stephan Bonnar, Dan Henderson, etc competing in the same era, the division was the most dangerous division ever. However with most of these fighters retiring, UFC’s light heavyweight division has struggled to find exciting contenders. Newcomer Dominick Reyes however is eager to take this tag off of his division.
Dominick ‘the Devastator’ Reyes (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) is known for getting the job done quick. Out of his 8 victories, 7 have been stoppages and all of them in the first round itself. Reyes is known for his trademark head kick and well roundedness. Reyes last faced Jeremy Kimball at UFC 218 in December. Expectedly he submitted Kimball in the first round. He was shocked as to how easy it felt but knows that things won’t be that easy against a veteran like Jared Cannonier, especially after a tuff camp.
“Honestly, it felt like that,” Reyes said. “It was freaky. After the fight, I was like, ‘That was weird, that was too easy. It’s not supposed to be like that.’ But everything just kind of lined up and clicked, and I guess that’s the way it was supposed to be. Everything’s landing, I’m seeing everything and…I can’t explain it. It’s really cool. We all have bad days, definitely,” said Reyes. “Usually camp starts off and it’s not the best – my timing isn’t there and I get a little bit panicky and I’m just like, ‘Relax, it’s gonna be okay. Stay the course, continue the process,’ and by now, I feel fantastic. I feel like I did last fight, where everything was clicking and I’m seeing everything and all my movements and all my timing is on point and I’m super excited to get in there.”
A win over Cannonier has Reyes right in contention for a top 15 spot and he isn’t nervous about it, he is rather enjoying the ride.
“That’s what the plan’s been the whole time,” he said. “Show up and show out so people notice, and get my name out there, build my name, make some money and have some fun. It’s been a fun experience. At first it was kind of overwhelming, but then that’s what I’ve been doing all this for. That’s the whole point of everything. So I started embracing it after the first fight and now it’s just normal.
“I believe I am (ready),” he said. “I took some time off after the last fight to prepare for this. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to take my time forever, especially with my division the way it is. I’ve been preparing for this whirlwind that’s about to happen once I win this fight. I win this fight and things are gonna start rolling pretty quickly.”
“It’s accepting it and accepting where you are and understanding that this is what’s next,” Reyes said. “What are you gonna do, run from it? You accept it and embrace it, and it becomes who you are. I’m ready for whatever after this.”
Reyes is excited for his future endeavors with the UFC.
“That’s the hope,” he said. “You go out and handle business and every fight is life changing. You get that many more fans, now you’re 9-0 and 10-0, and that doesn’t happen in the light heavyweight division. And I finish guys. That’s what special about me. I don’t just go out there and try to point-fight. I’m there to finish, I’m there to excite the crowd, and I’m there to bring the light heavyweight division back. People are acting like it’s not the best division, and it is. It’s the most dangerous division, and they forgot. So I’m here to remind them.”
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