Exclusive Q&A: Dominick Reyes seeks rematch with Jiri Prochazka

Dominick Reyes (14-4) will face Nikita Krylov (30-9) on the UFC 314 main card in Miami. A former contender for the UFC light heavyweight belt, Dominick lost to Jon Jones in a close fight in 2020 and to Jan Blachowicz the same year.  

The 35-year-old American gave an interview to DAZN News.

DAZN News: You're up against Nikita Krylov, who hasn't fought for two years. What's your prediction?

Dominick Reyes: I'm going to win. That's all I would say, hand raised. I think he's an incredible athlete. I think he has an amazing chin. He has really good cardio, and he pushes the pace at a very high level. I'm excited to take on the challenge.

DN: In 2024, you were due to face Carlos Ulberg, but that didn't happen in the end. He's now top 3, so were you interested in taking him on after his win over Jan Blachowicz?

DR: That sounds good to me. My plan is to beat Nikita and then fight one more time, and then have a title shot in '26. So if I’ve got to fight Carlos, then I’ve got to fight Carlos. But I think it'd be easier to sell a rematch against Jiri Procházka, so we'll see. Whoever is in front of me, whoever is going to get me to the title.

DN: The heavyweights now have a new champion, Magomed Ankalaev. What did you think of his fight against Poatan?

DR: It wasn't the most interesting fight, but it was a technical battle. They're both extremely dangerous, and they both really respected each other's power and skills. Sometimes you'll get that.

DN: Is the Poatan era over?

DR: I mean, it's over right now. He's not the champ, but he's very good. He's going to get a rematch, so who knows? I think anybody in our division could beat anyone on any night. This division is very dangerous. One punch and it's all over.

DN: Do you think that you have the level to return to the top of the category one day with a title fight?

DR: I wouldn't be fighting if I thought otherwise.

DN: You lost to Jon Jones in 2020 after a close fight, which you won for many. Five years later, are you still thinking about it, or is it in the past?

DR: It's literally the past. I'm fighting Nikita on Saturday, so it doesn't really... It's just something that we're trapped in, in history forever. It's a great battle that's been put into the minds of the world. I’m still around, he's still around, so people want to talk about it because there was injustice.

DN: After you lost against Jon Jones, did you ever think about quitting?

DR: Never.

DN: How did you come back?

DR: Jesus Christ, my faith, my family, my team, and refocusing my life, mainly.

DN: You went on to lose three fights before coming back in 2024. How did you manage to come back?

DR: It's MMA. Anything can happen. That's the name of the game. I fight with all my heart, and I fight hard. I don't sit back and lay back. So I take risks. And sometimes when you take risks, it doesn’t pay off.

DN: Now you are a better fighter?

DR: Absolutely. I'm on a two-fight winning streak.

DN: You said at the beginning that you want to fight Jiri Prochazka. Why are you so confident about having him again?

DR: I want to fight him because that was the most fun fight I ever had in my life. I'm not talking about winning or losing. I'm talking about being a warrior and enjoying the battle. I want to fight that battle again