Jon Jones Finally Accepts What UFC Fans Have Been Saying About Dominick Reyes Fight

Jon Jones is often considered one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. His unmatched skill set, sharp fight IQ, and exceptional physical attributes make him a formidable challenge for anyone who steps into the octagon with him. Jones’s ability to control the pace and adapt to his opponents is a key factor in his sustained dominance.

Jon Jones made history at UFC 128 when he defeated Shogun Rua to become the youngest champion in UFC history. From that point on, his career continued to rise. However, it was in his fight with Dominick Reyes that he looked beatable for the first time in his career. The 37-year-old also felt exactly the same in the clash.

Jon Jones made it clear that he was about to give up against Dominick Reyes

Dominick Reyes suffered his first career loss in 2020 when he faced Jon Jones at UFC 247. It was Jones’ fifteenth title defense, as he held the top spot in Dana White’s pound-for-pound rankings. Reyes came out strong, displaying his skills and controlling the fight in the first two rounds. But as the fight progressed, he slowly began to fade, allowing Jones to take over in the championship rounds and secure the victory. The third round drew significant attention, with many analysts believing Dominick Reyes had done enough to win it.

However, the judges saw things differently, awarding Jon Jones a unanimous decision victory. This marked Jones’ final fight as the light heavyweight champion. Even though Dana White has always been a strong supporter of Jon Jones, he scored the fight 3-1 for Dominick Reyes going into the final round. Even Jon Jones was ready to give up during his fight with Reyes but somehow managed to hang in there. In a recent YouTube clip, he shared what exactly he felt during the entire five minutes.

‘Bones’ stated, “I was fighting Dominic Reyes and it was in round one, he hit me with like a spinning back kick to the face, and then he like punched me in the stomach and I hit the floor. It was technically a knockdown. And even the look that he had in his eyes, and the way he talked to me before the fight, telling me he was a multi-sport athlete. He was giving me a true f—-ng run for my money. He was the only other person do it to me outside of Gustafsson.

And I remember thinking to myself, ‘Hey you’ve had a great career, you have done a lot of great things [and] this kid he wants it. He’s hungry for it, Jon, it’s okay. That’s a decision to give up on yourself, it’s a f—-ng decision’. And something just as clear as that other voice said, ‘f–k that’.”, said Jones, recalling one of the toughest nights of his life. Many people argue that Reyes retired Jones from the light heavyweight division. True or not, that fight was the subject of heated debate within the fight community, where many people thought Jones lost that fight. One thing is for sure, and fans can agree (Jones too), that Dominick Reyes gave one of, if not the toughest fights to Jon Jones, to this day.

Top Comment by Ghost

Jones won dominic after jones show that he gave all what he have for one fight.. I’ll be ashamed...more

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Debate

Eventually, their rivalry seemed to fade into silence, with neither Jon Jones nor Dominick Reyes speaking much about their fight or the possibility of a rematch. But nearly four years later, the MMA world is buzzing once again about their clash. Reyes still firmly believes he beat Jones in that 2020 showdown, and lately, the two have reignited tensions with some fiery exchanges. Here’s a look at what’s stirring the pot.

Dominick Reyes still believes he won his fight against Jon Jones at UFC 247

Dominick Reyes, a top UFC light heavyweight contender, has experienced a rollercoaster career in the Octagon. While he’s secured victories in most of his fights, a few setbacks have marked his journey. Some losses were razor-close, while others saw him getting finished brutally. ‘The Devastator’ recently stepped into the cage at UFC 310 to face veteran Anthony Smith and won the fight via knockout. However, he is still not over with his historic clash with Jon Jones and feels he deserved to come out on top in that fight.

Before the return of Jones at UFC 309, Reyes reminded him of what exactly happened that night. While speaking to Ariel Helwani the 35-year-old did not doubt picking himself as the winner. He said, “Forever he’ll also be known as the one who lost to me, maybe we can figure that one out one day. It is, not a belief. that’s a fact.” The current heavyweight champion took notice of the comments and took to his X account to respond to it.

He tweeted, “Dominick when you look back at our fight, I don’t want you to ever question me or those judges. Look at your own heart, your own endurance. You didn’t do enough. The sooner you accept that, the better [an] athlete you become,”. The pair is never likely to clash again inside the Octagon. However, there will always be doubt about the decision which was declared that night.

Who do you think won the fight between Jon Jones and Dominick Reyes at UFC 247? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.