Dominick Reyes
Age: 28
Nationality: American
MMA Record: 8-0
UFC Record: 2-0
Notable Wins: Jeremy Kimball, Joachim Christensen
Notable Losses: None
Last Fight: Submission win over Jeremy Kimball
Fighter Profile: Reyes is one of the top light heavyweight prosepcts in the world right now. Undefeated and just 28-years-old, Reyes is already a perfect 8-0 in MMA and has gone 2-0 so far in the UFC with two finishes. Reyes is extremely atheltic and powerful and dynamic as a fighter. He has the ability to finish the fight on the feet and on the ground and so far has shown very few holes in his game. The UFC is in desperate need of future contenders in the light heavyweight division and Reyes absolutely has the potential to be a star in the UFC if he keeps winning his fights impressively.
Jared Cannonier
Age: 33
Nationality: American
MMA Record: 10-3
UFC Record: 3-3
Notable Wins: Ion Cutelaba
Notable Losses: Glover Teixeira, Shawn Jordan, Jan Blachowicz
Last Fight: Decision loss to Jan Blachowicz
Fighter Profile: Cannonier started off his UFC career as a heavyweight and was knocked out by Shawn Jordan and followed it up with a knockout win over Cyril Asker. He decided he would have better luck as a light heavyweight and so far the results have been solid, though not spectacular. Cannonier is 2-2 since moving down to 205lbs with a TKO win over Nick Roedrick and a decision win over Ion Cutelaba sandwiched between decision losses to Glover Teixeira and Jan Blachowicz. Cannonier is a big boy with big power and strong takedown defense and if he can keep his fights standing will always have a chance to win them.
Fight Breakdown: I think Reyes is the future at 205lbs and I think the UFC is giving him an opponent here in Cannonier who will stand and trade with him on the feet, which could lead to a spectacular knockout for Reyes. He’s shown incredible power so far in his career as well as the ability to win the fight on the mat. Cannonier has looked really good at times, but at other times he’s been too inconsistent. Although I think Cannonier will be a solid test for Reyes in his third UFC fight, I still have to go with the younger fighter in Reyes to win this fight, and I think a knockout is a legitimate possibility here, although Cannonier might be durable enough to survive.
Prediction: Reyes via knockout
