‘Can you not be an a***hole?’: Why UFC stars haven’t spoken in five years

So Jon Jones really wants a stink on the White House lawn?

Cool.

We know a bloke who’ll take it.

UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 | SUN 5 OCT 1PM AEST | Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will attempt to reclaim the throne against current champion Magomed Ankalaev. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.

“And wouldn’t that be gangster,” Dom Reyes grins, smile widening at the idea. “You’ve got Jon Jones begging for a spot on the White House card and the UFC, they say sure … if you go fight Dom one more time at light heavyweight.

“That would be amazing, man.

“Because the pair of us, it’s like we’re trapped inside a time capsule.

“And that fight would be a perfect finish to the story.”

Yet even if Reyes gets, say, himself onto that card slated for Donald Trump’s yard next June against anyone else, and Jones misses out?

“It’s a little win I guess,” the American shrugs.

“But this isn’t about Jon.

“I’m doing this for my family, for my God and for myself.

“And however He lays it out for me, I’ll face it with his strength and power.

“Because I’m a warrior through Christ … and I’m unstoppable.”

Kicking back now at the UFC fighter hotel in Perth, Reyes is talking Fox Sports Australia through what may just be the greatest comeback in UFC history.

That, and an undeniable Hollywood script.

Understanding how it has now been five years since this affable Californian native, and a fella who once dreamed of making the NFL no less, lost to Jones in one of the sport’s greatest ever robberies.

A heartbreaking defeat that, apart from sparking widespread backlash, or shattering Reyes, also ignited the type of spiral that is a fella then dropping another three straight – and all via KO.

Yet more recently, the man now headlining Sunday’s UFC Perth card – against popular New Zealander Carlos Ulberg – has gone and found God, while also winning himself one, two, three straight.

All of which, almost impossibly, has Reyes on the cusp of another light heavyweight title tilt.

And while he may not want this week to be about Jones … well, it’s hard not to make that most unforgettable of sliding doors moments at least part of the yarn, right?

By his own admission, Reyes says he and Jones are forever linked.

With the American even admitting to living largely by that same code tattooed to the chest of a rival who not only doubles as an Octagon bad boy, or arguably the greatest UFC fighter who ever lived, but a fighter who, after walking away from the heavyweight strap, Dana White now says he cannot trust for any White House spot.

But Reyes? In a UFC title eliminator?

Why not?

Which again, this most unlikely of comeback stories credits to the words tattooed to Jones’ chest: Philippians 4:13.

“I can do all things,” Reyes says, reciting the scripture, “through Christ, who strengthens me”.

But as for he and Jones having ever spoken since that night their lives became forever linked?

“No,” Reyes says bluntly. “I’ve seen him around but we’ve never spoken.

“And to be honest, outside of fighting, Jon’s not a guy I like very much.

“I’m not a big fan.

“Immediately after our fight, when we went face-to-face, he was very respectful.

“Said ‘man, you’re an amazing fighter … great fight, bro’.

“But then they announced the decision and he went straight into interviews talking crap.

“I remember thinking ‘dude, can you not be an a-hole for once? Can you just be a normal guy?

“I just didn’t like that.

“Being cool to my face and then talking crap.”

Then as if talking directly to Jones himself, he continues: “What happened in our fight, you can’t erase it.

“You can’t erase how it all went down.

“I know you want to and wish you could.

“But accept that you can’t.

“Be real about it …”

Then after a short pause, Reyes continues: “Jon’s got his own demons and all I can do is pray for the guy.

“Literally, pray.

“And I do hope he finds true peace and happiness.

“Because he’s all over the place.

“And it’s sad to me, seeing him getting arrested, out in the streets, all this other crazy stuff.

“What are you doing? You have a wife and kids at home.

“And I’m not trying to make this about Jon.

“But I’m not a fan of his outside the cage.

“I actually think the UFC keeps us apart to be honest. I really think they do.”

Apart from having come, more recently, to peace with the loss, Reyes says it is also why he believes there are now so many people willing him to victory as a $3 TAB outsider this Sunday – and against a rival in Ulberg who is close enough to a local.

“That (Jones fight) was a moment in time where things were not right,” Reyes says.

“And the whole world saw it.

“It’s like seeing someone robbed, you see on film somebody taking something that belongs to someone else … and you get mad about it.

“You want justice for it.

“Whether or not you get that justice, people have a need for it.

“I remember (fellow UFC fighter) Michael Chandler told me one time, ‘hey man, it’s not about wins and losses here, it’s about making people feel something … and the fans, they feel for you; they feel what you felt that night and will forever feel it’.

“For me, that was a profound moment.

“I was on my losing streak at the time.

“But Michael also said how when I start winning again, ‘they’re going to feel that too’.

“And that’s exactly the reception I’ve got when I have.

“There has been so much love.

“Even though when you look at my last three opponents, I was counted out every time …”

Just as you are again this Sunday, right?

“Yeah, I’m being counted out again,” Reyes grins. “And all my people are taking some of (the bookmaker’s odds).

“Personally though, I don’t take any stock in it.

“I just try to keep telling everyone, I’m not only back – I’m better.”

And as for what another title shot would mean?

“A lot of my close friends have said ‘you’re writing a movie right now’,” Reyes grins. “And I could be the craziest comeback story of all time.

“But it’s not something I think about a lot, it really isn’t.

“Yes, it would be awesome if it happens.

“So if God wills it? Amazing.

“And I’m just doing all I can do.

“Being present, enjoying the moment and being grateful for that.

“Really, I’m just trying to finish the mission.”

FULL UFC PERTH FIGHT CARD

Main card