Dominick Reyes had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders Saturday.
The former UFC title challenger ended a four-fight losing streak and may have saved his UFC career by defeating Dustin Jacoby in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 57 at the KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Coming into the event, Reyes (13-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) had not fought in two years due to health issues, so defeating Jacoby (19-9-1 MMA, 7-6-1 UFC) was a must.
“It was a relief, really,” Reyes told reporters at the post-fight press conference. “When he hit me, I was relieved. I was like, 'I'm still here.' I had a lot of doubts, I was doubting myself, but then I saw my performance and I was like, 'Wow.' I felt it. I really love the fight and I'm not going anywhere.”
Reyes is back in the hunt for a title shot, but this time he'll be the champion. He started his mixed martial arts career with a 12-0 record before losing a very close bout to Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title. That loss marked the start of three straight stoppage losses.
The 34-year-old believes the light heavyweight title has always been within reach, but all that matters is getting back on a winning record.
“It's a little bit different in my weight class, you put in a couple of good performances, you show the world who you are, you do what you're supposed to do and you're right back in the conversation,” Reyes said. “I've never thought, 'Oh, I'll never get back to the title,' because I know who I am and what I'm capable of.”
“I didn't believe in myself and doubted everything I was doing. I was like, 'How can I compete for a title if I can't win a fight?' So that wasn't even on my mind. I just had to win and get back to being my normal self.”
Reyes hasn't set a specific name or date for his return to the Octagon, and while he likes the idea of fighting at UFC 306 in September, he's not tied down to anything in particular.
“The timing with the opponents is important,” Reyes said. “Obviously, I want to climb the table and try to win the title again, but we don't know what will happen. I'm not thinking about anyone. If someone wants to nominate me, that's fine. That way I have more options. They can do the manager's job for me. I have a great manager, a great team. We'll see what's next.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC on ESPN 57 event hub.
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