Midnight Mania! Reyes: Tentative Jones Holding Up Rematch

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

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Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Last month, Jon Jones was arrested in yet another alcohol and vehicle related incident, this time with a loaded firearm. However, Jones has yet again managed to escape relatively untouched from the charges, and UFC’s official statement about the situation did not mention anything about stripping the title.

It all blew over as standard “Bones” behavior after like three days of memes.

As such, Jones is still the Light Heavyweight champ, and Dominick Reyes is still gunning for him after their highly controversial fight back at UFC 247. However, Reyes told MMAJunkie that while both he and UFC like the rematch, he’s concerned that Jones is less interested. “I know the UFC is on board,” Reyes said. “I know I’m on board. The issue is Jon right now. He’s going to say he’s down online, obviously on Twitter. When he gets those contracts in front of him, he’s a little different. That’s where we’re at.”

“It was a straight dog fight, brother,” Reyes continued. “The last fight was a pure dog fight. I don’t think he wants to do that again. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t think he wants these hands again. He doesn’t want to get in this dog fight with me. That’s where we’re at.”

Despite Jones’ aforementioned arrest, Reyes is happy Jones remains the champion, as he wants to take the belt from “Bones” himself.

“Well, (expletive), man,” Reyes said. “I feel like I was wronged on Feb. 8. I’m not OK with that. I’m not just living my life like, ‘Oh yeah. It’s cool. I got robbed. I’m not going to do anything about it. I want to rematch him. I want to fight him again with judges who are a little more competent.”

If the bout does materialize, Reyes expects it to take place in Fall.

Insomnia

Well, that rumor lasted less than 24 hours.

As it turns out, Mike Beltran is precisely the hero we need right now.

Self-belief (almost to a delusional level) is pretty critical to making it to the highest levels of combat sports!

Related fact: Chuck Norris is currently a third-degree black belt under Jean Jacques Machado.

… There’s no way Dominick Cruz is able to stay healthy for another three weeks, is there?

Uhh yeah. Mouthpieces are important. Please wear them while sparring.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Another “Marvelous” clip, another legendary boxing match:

Absolute precision from “The Doctor.”

A successful guard pull? Pretty rare. A successful guard pull into twisting footlock submission? Nearly unheard of!

Random Land

I’m forced to disagree with Derrick Lewis: he’s not okay.

Midnight Music: My mom linked me to a pretty cool cover of John Lennon’s “Isolation” that is definitely worth a listen and features Johnny Depp (?!?).

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.