Thiago Santos targets Dominick Reyes title fight after Jon Jones gives blessing

Thiago Santos is healthy and wants a massive fight for his UFC return.

If light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is, in fact, serious about vacating the title, then Santos (21-7 MMA, 13-6 UFC) is all in on the idea “Bones” suggested about pitting himself against Dominick Reyes to crown a new champion.

“If these things happen about Jon, if he really don’t want to fight, the light heavyweight division needs to go forward,” Santos told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “It needs to continue. It can’t stay stopped. I would like to go in line for the belt against Jones or against Dominick Reyes. We never know what UFC is going to do. I’m doing what I need to do. I keep training. I’m preparing for when the UFC tells me. I’m going to be 100 percent ready. I would like to fight for the belt or someone in the top five.”

The Brazilian has not competed since his razor-thin loss to Jones (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) in Marck 2019 at UFC 235. It was the most competitive fight of Jones’ career to that point, with Santos being the first man to take a winning scorecard against Jones in the split decision.

The five-round bout took a toll on Santos, though, as he suffered serious injuries to both knees that required surgery. He’s been methodical in his recovery but said he’s now completely cleared for action.

“(I am) 100 percent, man,” Santos said. “I feel so good. I train everything. I train with some partners, I start to spar. I feel so good. I train everything: wrestling, jiu-jitsu and sparring. I feel great. I feel 100 percent, and I’m ready to fight again. I’m just waiting for the UFC to tell me where, against who, and that’s it.”

If Jones ultimately does prove to be unavailable, Santos agrees the most logical vacant or interim title pairing would be against Reyes (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC). “The Dominator” was Jones’ next opponent after Santos, and he gave the champion an arguably even stiffer test in losing a controversial decision this past February at UFC 247.

Reyes has been pushing for an immediate rematch against Jones, and UFC president Dana White has expressed interest in that option. Santos said he was impressed by Reyes’ effort in the title fight, and he said both of their performances make for a compelling matchup if Jones isn’t part of the equation.

“He fought so good (against) Jones,” Santos said. “I’m really surprised. He did a good fight, he did a good gameplan, and he fought good. Now let’s see what’s going to happen. I’m here. If UFC tells me it’s Dominick Reyes, I’m 100 percent for a fight against him. So, I’m waiting for the UFC to tell me. I’m preparing. I’m healthy, I’m 100 percent and feel confidence in my knee and about everything.”

Santos said he knows what he wants to happen, but as far as what will happen, he’s as much in the dark as anyone else. His gut leads him to believe Jones will not step away permanently. However, “Marreta” said he’s ready to jump on any opportunity.

“I don’t believe Jon is retired,” Santos said. “He fights for what he deserves. I can’t say if he’s right or wrong, but he’s the champion for a long time, and he fights for what he believes he deserves. But I don’t believe he will retire or stop. Maybe he will stop for a few months or one year, but for sure not retirement. He is young. He has a lot of fights to do. I would like to know. I’m excited for news about (my next) fight and against who. I’m so excited.”