Dominick Reyes Bio
Dominick Vincent Reyes (born December 26, 1989) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed “The Devastator” for his powerful kicks, Reyes has built a reputation as a dangerous striker since turning professional in 2014. As of May 12, 2026, he is ranked #11 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.
Trained out of Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai in Victorville, California, Reyes balances his athletic career with a disciplined training approach and a strong amateur wrestling base. Over more than a decade in the sport, he has faced some of the division’s biggest names and remained a fixture in the upper tier of the UFC’s 205-pound class.
Early Life and Background
Reyes was born on December 26, 1989, in Hesperia, California, and is Mexican American. He grew up in a working-class family, and his parents encouraged him to pursue athletics as a way to stay focused and away from local gang activity. From a young age, he was a multi-sport athlete, competing in both wrestling and American football while dreaming of one day playing in the National Football League.
After graduating from Hesperia High School, Reyes moved to New York to attend Stony Brook University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. He played as a starting safety for the Stony Brook Seawolves football team from 2009 to 2012, eventually becoming team captain. During his college career, he was twice named to the All-Conference team, including First Team All-Big South honors in 2012, and he finished as the program’s all-time leader in solo tackles with 158.
Path to MMA
Despite receiving interest from NFL teams, Reyes was considered too average in speed and went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft. A short stint trying out for the Canadian Football League did not lead to a contract, and the end of his football dream left him depressed. He returned to California and took up manual labor, first in construction and then in his father’s cabinetry business, while looking for a new direction.
Reyes began training at Combat Cage Academy, the gym owned by his older brother Alexander, initially to stay in shape and release frustration. He started competing in amateur fights shortly afterward, compiling a 5-0 amateur record that included two U of MMA championships. He turned professional in 2014 and went 6-0 before signing with the UFC, with one of his early knockout wins going viral online.
Dominick Reyes Career
Early Career (2014-2017)
Before reaching the UFC, Reyes built a steady resume on the regional circuit. His professional record entering the promotion was 6-0, highlighted by a viral head-kick knockout of Jordan Powell, who had been showboating moments before being finished. Those performances drew the attention of UFC matchmakers, who signed him after just six professional bouts.
His amateur foundation gave him a strong base for the professional level, and he kept developing his striking while training at his brother’s gym. The combination of college-level wrestling, raw knockout power, and a southpaw stance made him a unique prospect coming out of the California regional scene.
UFC Breakthrough (2017-2019)
Reyes made his UFC debut on June 25, 2017, against Joachim Christensen at UFC Fight Night 112, winning by technical knockout in the opening minute and earning a Performance of the Night bonus. He followed that with a first-round submission of Jeremy Kimball at UFC 218, a first-round TKO of Jared Cannonier at UFC Fight Night 129, a unanimous decision over Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 229, and a split decision win over Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 147. Each win added momentum and pushed him closer to a title shot.
On October 18, 2019, Reyes headlined UFC on ESPN 6 against Chris Weidman and delivered a first-round knockout that earned him another Performance of the Night award. That victory set up the biggest fight of his career against Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 247 on February 8, 2020. Reyes dropped a controversial unanimous decision, with 14 of 21 media outlets scoring the bout in his favor, but the loss did little to slow his rise in the eyes of fans.
Title Challenges and Rebuild (2020-2024)
Reyes received an immediate second chance at gold, facing Jan Błachowicz for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 253 on September 27, 2020. He was stopped by technical knockout in the second round. A scheduled bout with Jiří Procházka was pushed back due to injury, and when the two finally met in May 2021, Procházka finished Reyes with a spinning back elbow in the second round, leaving Reyes with multiple facial fractures. That fight earned Reyes a Fight of the Night bonus for his efforts.
Setbacks continued with a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Spann at UFC 281 in November 2022 and a pair of canceled bookings against Carlos Ulberg. Reyes began rebuilding in 2024 with a first-round TKO of Dustin Jacoby at UFC on ESPN 57 on June 8, 2024, and a second-round TKO of Anthony Smith at UFC 310 on December 7, 2024. The two wins showed he was still a serious threat in the division.
Recent Run (2025-Present)
Reyes opened 2025 in strong fashion, knocking out Nikita Krylov in the first round with a left straight punch at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025. He then headlined UFC Fight Night 260 on September 28, 2025, against Carlos Ulberg, falling by first-round knockout in a short night. He returned to the win column on April 11, 2026, at UFC 327, taking a split decision over Johnny Walker, with 11 of 16 media outlets scoring the fight for Reyes.
Style and Strengths
Reyes is a southpaw with a 77-inch reach, and his nickname reflects the heavy kicks that have become his signature weapon. His wrestling background from Stony Brook gives him a reliable takedown defense, while his aggressive striking makes him a constant threat on the feet. Training at Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai has allowed him to blend traditional martial arts with modern MMA conditioning.
Notable Events and Milestones
Reyes’ career has included high-profile moments such as his UFC debut knockout of Joachim Christensen, his viral regional knockout of Jordan Powell, and his title fight against Jon Jones at UFC 247, which is still debated among fans and analysts. Additional milestones include his first-round finish of Chris Weidman, his Performance of the Night bonuses, and a Fight of the Night award for his battle with Jiří Procházka.
Dominick Reyes Career Wins
Across his amateur and professional careers, Reyes has built a strong winning record, highlighted by finishing power and a willingness to face top competition. His UFC run features multiple first-round knockouts, several post-fight bonuses, and performances against former champions and ranked contenders.
UFC Highlights
Reyes’ UFC victories include stoppages of Joachim Christensen, Jeremy Kimball, Jared Cannonier, Chris Weidman, Dustin Jacoby, and Anthony Smith, along with decisions over Ovince Saint Preux, Volkan Oezdemir, and Johnny Walker. His knockout of Nikita Krylov at UFC 314 marked a clear return to form in 2025. These wins have established him as one of the most consistent finishers in the light heavyweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Reyes was a two-time U of MMA champion during his amateur career and compiled a 6-0 professional record on the regional circuit. His viral knockout of Jordan Powell remains one of the most replayed finishes from that era and helped launch his path to the biggest stage in mixed martial arts.
Dominick Reyes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Reyes comes from a Mexican American family in Hesperia, California, where his parents pushed him toward sports to keep him focused on positive goals. He has an older brother, Alex Reyes, who also competes in MMA and fights in the UFC Lightweight division. The Reyes brothers have trained and supported each other throughout their fighting careers.
Personal Life
Reyes is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Dodgers and enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding, mountain biking, dirt bike riding, and watching documentary shows. He married on January 11, 2025, and became a father to a son on December 11, 2025. He holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and continues to live and train in Victorville, California.
2025 Season Performance
Reyes’ 2025 campaign was defined by a strong rebound after back-to-back stoppage losses. He opened the year with a first-round knockout of Nikita Krylov at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025, reminding the division of his finishing ability. He followed that with a headlining opportunity against Carlos Ulberg at UFC Fight Night 260 on September 28, 2025, where he was stopped in the first round.
Despite the split results, Reyes remained active and visible in the light heavyweight picture, with a UFC ranking to his name and a full training camp behind him. His pairing with Joe Stevenson’s Cobra Kai continued to provide a stable base for his preparation, and his performance against Krylov showed that his trademark power had not faded.
Heading into 2026, Reyes carried that momentum into UFC 327 on April 11, 2026, where he earned a split decision win over Johnny Walker, a result that 11 of 16 media outlets scored in his favor. With a top-15 ranking, a growing family, and a renewed confidence, Reyes remains a dangerous veteran in a deep UFC light heavyweight division.
