Former UFC light heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes has openly criticized Jon Jones for avoiding a potential rematch and dodging fights, particularly after Jones announced his retirement earlier this year. Reyes reignited intense debate after accusing Jones of “ducking” challenges, including their own closely contested fight, as well as Jones’ hesitation to face interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. This controversy has sparked strong reactions among fans and analysts questioning Jones’ commitment to his legacy.
Dominick Reyes Calls Out Jon Jones for Avoiding Crucial Fights
Jon Jones shocked the MMA community by declaring his retirement after months of sidestepping a unification bout with interim champion Tom Aspinall. Despite entering negotiations and demanding a large purse, Jones ultimately withdrew from the fight, citing that he had nothing left to prove inside the Octagon. This move frustrated many fans and insiders, who saw it as a continuation of Jones evading difficult matchups.
Dominick Reyes took this opportunity to call out Jones directly, pointing to Jones’ history of avoiding rematches and significant challenges. Reyes reminded the MMA world that after their tightly contested fight — which many believed Reyes had won convincingly — he pushed for a rematch over an entire year, but Jones vacated the title instead and moved to heavyweight. Reyes bluntly accused Jones of running from him during that time.
He just strings everyone along and lies and tells this and says that. Then he’s smug about it. He’s not being genuine, man… That’s why everybody’s mad about it, he’s just trying to play with all of us…After [our] fight I lobbied for the rematch for the entire year. He dropped the belt and went to heavyweight. People forget that too, he ran from me.
—Dominick Reyes via Pound 4 Pound podcast
Their 2021 bout ended in a razor-thin decision favoring Jones, a result that many fans and commentators heavily disputed. Reyes maintained that he had done enough to claim the title, and that the judges’ ruling was unjust. Following this, Jones chose to abandon his light heavyweight championship to pursue a transition into the heavyweight division, a shift that kept him inactive for three years.
Jones’ Weighty Delay and the Aspinall Fight Controversy
Jones’ prolonged absence left many frustrated, especially since Reyes remained vocal in requesting a rematch before Jones fully committed to heavyweight competition. When Jones finally accepted the chance to face Aspinall, he again seemed to back away after demanding financial terms that delayed the scheduling. Once the UFC met his conditions, Jones pulled out, disappointing fans who wanted to see the unification fight take place.
This sequence of events deepened skepticism about Jones’ intentions and fueled the narrative that he was dodging the challenge rather than facing it head-on. Even as online criticism mounted, Jones appeared indifferent to public opinion, instead focusing on his retirement and future plans. However, recent developments show Jones returning to the UFC drug-testing pool, fueling speculation about a potential comeback planned for 2026.
Dominick Reyes Shares Advice on Coping with Jones’ Fighting Style
Jon Jones has gained a reputation as one of the UFC’s most controversial fighters due to his frequent use of illegal tactics, notably eye pokes, which have drawn complaints from numerous opponents including Rampage Jackson and Daniel Cormier. Despite the controversies, there have been few lasting penalties against Jones, allowing him to continue executing these tactics throughout his career.
Reyes revealed in a recent interview with the Pound 4 Pound podcast that he received specific advice on countering Jones’ eye pokes from fellow UFC veteran Ovince Saint Preux (OSP). According to Reyes, OSP taught him a particular method of punching down on Jones’ extended fingers to neutralize his attempts to poke during fights.
OSP showed up one time to help me out. He actually showed me the punch the finger thing. That was an ‘OSP’ special, because Jon actively goes like this [extending his hands and fingers]. I would be facing him and he would literally put his fingers in my face like this. Like, ‘I dare you to run in. I dare you to come in’. So then I punched down on his fingers and that was from OSP. He was like, ‘Dude, when he’s trying to stick his fingers in your face, just punch down on them.‘
—Dominick Reyes via Pound 4 Pound podcast
This insight underlines Reyes’ resilience in dealing with Jones’ less-than-clean tactics during their bout, showcasing his ability to adapt despite the challenges posed by Jones’ fighting style.
Upcoming Challenges and the Fight Legacy Debate
The rivalry between Jones and Reyes continues to be a subject of debate in the MMA community. Both fighters remain steadfast in their versions of what happened in their fight and the events that followed. Meanwhile, Reyes is preparing for a key bout against Carlos Ulberg, set to headline UFC Perth in late September 2025 — a crucial fight in his ongoing comeback.
Jon Jones’ recent return to drug testing hints at the possibility of an eventual comeback, which would reignite speculation about potential matchups, perhaps even continuing the unresolved storyline with Reyes. As both fighters evolve, fans await whether this confrontation will be revisited or if their legacies remain defined by past controversies and missed opportunities.