Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
We may have saw Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes 2 had it not been for the coronavirus.
Top UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes says the promotion was close to booking a rematch with Jon Jones before the coronavirus outbreak got worse.
Reyes (12-1) and Jones (26-1, 1NC) first fought at UFC 247 in February, with Jones winning by a controversial split decision on the night. Speaking recently to ESPN, Reyes explained how the coronavirus wiped out any chance of a rematch with Jones later this year.
“Yes, we were talking early fall,” Reyes said. “We started moving along, moving along, and then [COVID-19]. And that was it.”
Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the UFC was forced to cancel cards in London and Columbus. Although the promotion still has some events still scheduled to take place, it’s unclear whether they will go ahead or not. Reyes continued by discussing his first fight with Jones.
”What I did in our fight, what happened, it was a big event,” Reyes said. “A lot of people talked about it for a long time. They’re still talking about it. I think not just myself, but the people kind of feel cheated with that fight. They want to see it again, see me perform like I did once again. A lot of people think that belt is mine. I agree. So let’s get it.”
Jones has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons again, being arrested last month for an aggravated DWI, firearm and other charges. The light heavyweight champion eventually took a plea deal that saw him avoid jail time for the charges.
“Personally, I hope he doesn’t get suspended, because I really need to rematch him for myself,” Reyes said. “I’ve always respected Jon as a fighter. I’ve always respected him in the Octagon, but outside the Octagon, it’s the same crap he’s been doing before that disappointed me when I was a fan of him.”