Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
In the main event of UFC 247, pound-for-pound number one Jon Jones takes on Dominick Reyes.
Arguably the greatest fighter to ever step foot in the octagon, Jon Jones (25-1, 1NC MMA, 19-1, 1NC UFC) will aim to defend his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 247 against the undefeated contender Dominick Reyes (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC). UFC 247 Jones vs. Reyes takes place live this Saturday night, February 8th, from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The main card will air live on PPV via ESPN+ beginning with a fight time of 10:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. PT, with the ESPN2 prelims kicking off at 8:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET on Fight Pass and ESPN+.
How do these two stack up?
Jones: 32 years old | 6’4” | 84.5” reach
Reyes: 31 years old | 5’9” | 68” reach
How did these two get here?
Jones: W – Thiago Santos (DEC) | W – Anthony Smith (DEC) | W – Alexander Gustafsson (TKO)
Reyes: W – Chris Weidman (TKO) | W – Volkan Oezdemir (DEC) | W – Ovince Saint Preux (DEC)
What have these two done recently?
Jon Jones is on his way to cleaning out the light heavyweight division. The pound-for-pound number one has defended his 205-pound title twice since winning it back against Alexander Gustafsson in December 2018, with decision wins against former middleweights Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. This fight with Dominick Reyes could be Jones’ last at light heavyweight if he is to win. A move up to heavyweight is almost necessary for Jones after UFC 247, as he has basically beat all of what light heavyweight has to offer so far.
Dominick Reyes has been a breakout star at light heavyweight, and as the competition has increased for “The Devastator” he has continued to step up to the plate every fight. After winning consecutive decisions against top light heavyweights Ovince Saint-Preux and Volkan Oezdemir, Reyes spoiled Chris Weidman’s 205-pound debut when he knocked out the former middleweight champion in under two-minutes. Jones’ has had more UFC title bouts then Reyes has MMA fights, so it’s clear Reyes is in for a big step up in competition this weekend.
Why should you care?
Reyes has everything to gain and nothing to lose in this fight. An upset is always possible, even if it seems unlikely.