Santos Vs Reyes For Vacant 205 Strap?

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, was arrested and charged with DWI on Thursday, among other things, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. When you consider his pre-existing legal issues prior to yesterday’s hiccup, it’s not unreasonable to think “Bones” will be sidelined for the immediate future.

During that timeout, the promotion is likely to take away his 205-pound title or create an interim strap, which has less to do with punishment and more to do with the fact that Jones won’t be around to make any title defenses. Not surprisingly, Thiago Santos (21-7) is ready to make that happen and is already playing matchmaker.

“I think UFC’s 205 division needs a new champ, one that’s not forever in trouble,” the 36 year-old Brazilian wrote on Twitter, while tagging most of the promotion’s decision makers. “I think me and (Dominick) Reyes deserve to fight for that belt!”

Santos, like Reyes after him, took Jones to a five-round decision and nearly upset the longtime champion after 25 minutes of back-and-forth action. There was talk of booking a “Dominator” rematch, but Jan Blachowicz is also at the top of the light heavyweight ladder, looking for his chance to pull the sword from the proverbial stone.

“Come on Jon, you have to find a more clever way to hide from me than a jail,” Blachowicz said on social media.

Perhaps it’s time for a 205-pound grand prix, winner take all?