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Despite his technical knockout win over Johnny Walker at the UFC 244 pay-per-view (PPV) event last weekend in New York (see it), Corey Anderson won’t be getting the next light heavyweight title shot against reigning division kingpin, Jon Jones.
Instead, Jones will step into the Octagon against No. 4-ranked title contender, Dominick Reyes, at an event to be named in early 2020. While “The Devastator” is hoping to share the Jan. 18 card with Conor McGregor, he’s concerned about his opponent showing up.
“I don’t really celebrate until after the fight, especially with this guy,” Reyes told MMA Fighting. “I hope he makes it to the fight. It’s a big concern of mine. This guy’s a liability. So we’ll see. I’m ready to go. We’ve just got to get that contract now, sign it up and champ camp begins.”
Jones (25-1, 1 NC) has not competed since his close, split-decision win over Thiago Santos at UFC 239 back in July. It was a performance that left Reyes unimpressed and “The Devastator” believes he will pick up right where “Maretta” left off by showing him the “next level” of MMA.
“I’m a guy that’s a little bit of Jon Jones, a little bit of Jose Aldo, a little bit of Dominick Cruz, I’m a little bit of Daniel Cormier,” Reyes said. “I’m a little bit of everyone right now. I think that’s what makes me special, makes me different. My ability to put it all together. And he’s never fought a Mexican, that’s just a fact. There’s a lot of things that go into it, but I honestly believe that I’m next level.”
Reyes (12-0), who joined the promotion back in summer 2017, remains unbeaten at 205 pounds with nine finishes, having last defeated former middleweight champion, Chris Weidman, at UFC Boston back in October.