Dominick Reyes had his undefeated streak snapped on Saturday when
he lost to light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 247. It was an extremely close unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) win for Jones, but many pundits believe Reyes won the fight. At the very least, there's clamoring for a rematch between the two fighters and Reyes suggested that a rematch may happen.
Reyes appeared on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show and recalled the brief conversation he and Jones had in the Octagon following the decision.
"He said I shocked him," Reyes said.
"He didn't really expect that from me. And he thanked me for making him a better martial artist. He said, 'Our rematch is gonna be epic.'"
UFC president acknowledged Reyes' impressive performance at UFC 247 but was noncommittal when asked about an immediate rematch. Reyes thinks with enough support from fans, the UFC could be pressured into making it happen.
"I believe so," Reyes told Helwani.
"If the fans put enough pressure on Jones, if they put enough pressure on the UFC and they want to see it, then I'm sure I'll get that rematch. I know I deserve it. It should be a rematch for him trying to get his belt back."
Despite the loss in the record books, Reyes said he considers himself the champion of the fans.
"Yeah, the judges suck," Reyes said. "
But fans know who won. I'm considering myself the people's champ right now. ... The fans speak to make fights happen. You talk about politics and stuff like that, but what it really comes down to is what the fans want. Fans buy the fights."
Regardless of the results, Reyes seemed confident that his performance in the Octagon again Jones helped him gain a ton of exposure and respect from UFC fans.
"As a fighter, you know how the rounds go," Reyes said.
"You know exactly what happened. He knows I won. Deep down in his heart, he knows I won. Him being Jon Jones, a great martial artist himself, I feel like he would want a rematch for his own mind. Knowing that I won that fight."