Dominick Reyes and Jon Jones probably won’t be getting too buddy-buddy at any point in the near future.

It will have been three full years come Feb. 2023 since Jones last stepped foot inside the octagon. Reyes was defeated by Jones in a controversial unanimous decision at UFC on November 7, Houston, Texas. at UFC 247. It wasn’t long after that “Bones” decided he was done as the 205-pound kingpin.

The community demanded an immediate rematch due to the fight’s competitive nature. However, Jones decided that he would debut in the heavyweight division and vacated his title. Reyes would likely have received his wish considering that his second appearance was for the newly-vacated title.

Rumors have swirled in recent weeks regarding Jones possibly returning at UFC 282 in December with the current heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and former titlist Stipe Miocic as the top options. Nothing is official, however, thus forcing everyone to continue waiting on the now-35-year-old legend.

“Talk about a guy full of s***,” Reyes told Middle Easy. “He’s a f****** weirdo, man. He’s just strange and I don’t like him. He talks all the time. Anytime anyone else gets any kind of attention, whether it’s ‘Izzy’ (Israel Adesanya), whether it’s fricking a bantamweight, a featherweight, whoever it is, he wants to chime in like he’s relevant and just talk s***. He doesn’t like it when people are doing well. He’s like, ‘No, I’m the best ever. F*** you guys.’

“OK, Jon. Either you retire, or you fight again. You could have that real conversation and either become somebody like a former greatest of all time and have that clout and walk around as that. Your career is done and you will be a guy talking to everyone all day. People are getting tired of you. I feel like everything he’s doing now and he’s done since our fight has tarnished his legacy.”

Despite Jones inactivity in his cage, he has managed to remain in the news on many occasions for good or ill.

Most notably, Jones was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in Sept. 2021 for his classic first bout with Alexander Gustafsson in 2013 at UFC 165. He was unfortunately overshadowed hours later by the

ceremony.

Jones was arrested in Las Vegas in the early morning after Hall of Fame night for misdemeanor battery domestic violence, as well as damaging and tampering with a vehicle. The UFC took no action and let the legal troubles of Jones play out on their own. Jones is believed to have separated from his longtime fiancee since and was kicked out of his gym at JacksonWink MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

When it came to the early discussions of Jones fighting Ngannou after “The Predator” captured gold in March 2021, negotiations quickly broke down because of the asking prices from both men. Reyes lost the vacant title fight against Jan Blachowicz, before losing another hard loss to Jiri Prochazka, the current titleholder.

“I don’t think he’s gonna fight again this year,” Reyes said. But then who knows. I think he’ll start early in 2023. It’s been so long since he fought — since we fought. That whole literally running from me, saying he doesn’t get paid enough to fight me again. The whole deal was a complete joke. Then being arrested multiple times more and such.

“I don’t know who he’s training with. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t really care, to be honest. It’s just like, either just get on the sidelines permanently or get in the game. What are you gonna do?”

Reyes is now set to have his third bout post-Jones and still seeks an official win on his record since. “The Devastator” has openly expressed his consistent interest in rematching Jones, whether at light heavyweight or heavyweight, but first he’ll look to get through Ryan Spann at UFC 281 on Nov. 12 in Madison Square Garden.

“He is exciting. He’s Jon Jones,” Reyes stated. He’s the most important light heavyweight ever… an asterisk is because he used steroids to make him look like a scumbag, but what? He’s still the greatest of all time, he still beat everyone … ‘technically.'”

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TOP STORIES

Early. Coach: Charles Oliveira already on weight for UFC 280 title fight with Islam Makhachev

Embraced. T.J. Dillashaw, to Aljamain sterling: “You’re going get your arse stolen by a cheater motherf *****’

Trouble. John Lineker misses weight for ONE on Prime Video 3, stripped of bantamweight title

Story. Ben Askren reminisces about his first memories following Jorge Masvidal’s knockout. That means I’m in the hospital’

Dominator. Dominick Cru not to retire after Marlon’s loss. Jonathan Martinez

Denied. Belal Muhammad asked repeatedly for Khamzat Chimiev fight. However, UFC offered Sean Brady

Overlooked. Beneil dariush: This’sucks’ losing the title shot to Alexander Volkanovski. Top lightweights continue to evade me

Reality. 90 Day Fiance’s Biniyam Shibre has goals to reach UFC, help grow sport in Ethiopia

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VIDEO STEW

Between The Links.

UFC 280 Official weigh-ins.

UFC 280 Pre-fight presser.

Pre-fight presser faceoffs.

Embedded 4.

Top finishes from UFC 280 fighters.

Philly’s premier MMA gym.

Volk’s fight week.

Sterling has had its weight reduced.

Tsuyoshi Suyoshi’s knockout reel.

Fancy Sterling vs. Dillashaw preview.

Merab visits the Burj Khalifa.

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LISTEN UP

Heck Of A Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what will be biggest factor in the Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev UFC 280 main event?

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Hope so.

But it’s still Khabib time.

Stats.

Immortal thoughts.

Intense.

Greetings.

Game over.

Moves.

Back at it.

Anchorman.

Sushi plus baseball.

Congrats!

And cut!

Filthy.

Not a bad choice.

Fantastic.

Insight.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jack Della Maddalena (12-2) vs. Danny Roberts (18-6); UFC Vegas 65, Nov. 19

Robert Whittaker (25-6) vs. Paulo Costa (14-2); UFC 284, Feb. 12

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FINAL THOUGHTS

I don’t care, I think Jones vs. Reyes 2 would be a great and fun option for both sooner rather than later with all things considered. Still not buying Jones even fighting at heavyweight until an announcement is officially made.

Happy Friday, gang! Enjoy the wild UFC 280 weekend and have a great rest of the Saturday afterward. Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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