Dominick Reyes came agonizingly close to defeating Jon Jones in their 2020 showdown, a match many believe he should have won. However, the controversial loss had profound effects on his career trajectory. Following an undefeated streak in the UFC, Reyes secured a title shot and nearly dethroned Jones at UFC 247. Despite his strong performance, the judges awarded the victory to Jones, leaving Reyes to reassess his career.

A New Beginning

After the Jones fight, Reyes felt compelled to make significant changes. He left his long-time team in California, seeking improvement by training at various gyms. This decision, however, led to a series of setbacks. Reyes suffered three consecutive knockout losses, raising questions about his future in the sport.

“I lost my way,” Reyes admitted on The MMA Hour. “I was looking for something I already had. I thought I needed to do more after the Jones fight. I felt like I could have given more somehow, when in reality, I gave everything I had and then some.”

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Reunion with Old Coaches

Realizing his mistake, Reyes returned to his original team. The journey back was not straightforward; it required humility and the willingness to admit past errors.

“I had to humble myself,” Reyes said. “I had to come in and say, ‘Listen, I made a mistake, would you guys be willing to take me back?’ It’s all love. Really, truly.”

Triumphant Return

At UFC Louisville, Reyes achieved his first victory in nearly five years, knocking out former GLORY kickboxer Dustin Jacoby in the first round. This win was a testament to his perseverance and determination to reclaim his place in the sport.

“I just stayed the course,” Reyes reflected. “I never gave up on myself. I just kept fighting, kept training, kept getting better. Here I am back in the winner’s circle, two-year layoff from fighting and it’s like I never left.”

Reyes’s victory not only marked his return but also highlighted his resolve to focus on one fight at a time rather than chasing titles prematurely.

“I’m not even thinking about that,” Reyes said regarding future title shots. “I’m just enjoying this, and then the next fight and then the next fight, and then we’ll see. It’s one of those things where there’s no point in reaching to that right now.”

Reyes’s story is one of resilience and self-discovery, showing that even in the face of adversity, determination and self-awareness can lead to redemption.