Dominick Reyes speaks out on the questionable outcome of his light heavyweight title fight with Jon Jones.
Reyes challenged Jones in the main event of UFC 247 pay-per-view event on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston.
While many have counted him out ahead of the fight, ‘The Devastator’ proved to be a tough test for the defending champ as they battled in an epic five-round war.
Reyes scored a knockdown in the opening frame and did everything in his power to keep Jones at bay in the first three rounds.
Down to judges’ scorecards, fans were expecting him to secure a decision win and dethrone the light heavyweight champ.
But to the Houston crowd’s surprise, it was Jones who was announced as the winner as the cageside judges scored 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for a unanimous decision win.
The official #UFC247 Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes scorecard. pic.twitter.com/8lOFkaTsuP
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) February 9, 2020
Real Deal
It was Reyes’ first defeat in his UFC career and from here, he wants to come back better and stronger to prove he is the next big thing at 205 pounds.
“I had him one through three, man,” Reyes said in the post-fight interview (per ESPN).
“I was all over him. It is what it is. I’ll get better. … I proved that I’m the real deal.”
“I just want to say thank you to everybody in Houston.”
“You guys are amazing. Thank you to everybody back home. Everybody who supported me. I love you guys man. You fill my heart with love so thank you all.”
Prior to this loss, the light heavyweight contender has won six straight wins since his promotional debut in June 2017.
Meanwhile, Jones remains undefeated since returning to action in December 2018. He now holds the record for most title fight wins in UFC history.
Dominick Reyes earned Jon Jones' respect after a classic fight ✊#UFC247
(via @ufc)pic.twitter.com/tGmlmMcMRQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 9, 2020
Check out the UFC 247 fight card full results below (via MMA Fighting):
Main Card
Jon Jones def. Dominick Reyes via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
Valentina Shevchenko def. Katlyn Chookagian via third-round technical knockout (1:03)
Juan Adams def. Justin Tafa via first round technical knockout (1:59)
Mirsad Bektic def. Dan Ige via split decision
Derrick Lewis def. Ilir Latifi via unanimous decision
Undercard
Trevin Giles def. James Krause via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Lauren Murphy def. Andrea Lee via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Khaos Williams def. Alex Morono via first-round KO (0:27)
Mario Bautista def. Miles Johns via second-round TKO (1:41)
Journey Newson def. Domingo Pilarte via first-round TKO (0:38)
Andre Ewell def. Jonathan Martinez via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Youssef Zalal def. Austin Lingo via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
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(Featured Image Source: Twitter/ UFC)