5 exciting up-and-comers who could break out in the UFC in 2018

#5 Dominick Reyes

Dominick Reyes is a bright up-and-comer at 205lbs

A natural born athlete – Reyes wrestled and played football at New York’s Stony Brook University, where he was a two-time All-Conference selection on the gridiron. He almost made it all the way to the NFL but failed to be drafted and so turned his hand to MMA instead. And thus far it’s been a worthy move, as he’s currently unbeaten at 8-0 and is one of the few bright spots in a relatively thin 205lbs division.

After garnering some hype on the regional scene following a flashy head kick knockout last summer, ‘The Devastator’ was signed by the UFC and immediately lived up to the lofty expectations of his supporters, knocking out Joachim Christensen in a matter of seconds. Next up was Jeremy Kimball, but the veteran was easily dispatched with a rear naked choke from Reyes in under a round.

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Standing at 6’4”, Reyes is a long, lanky Light-Heavyweight and while he’s already 28 years old, when compared to the likes of Mauricio Rua, Jimi Manuwa, and Glover Teixeira – practically dinosaurs in the MMA since – he’s the new hot thing on the block. Reyes has claimed he’s ready for top competition and 2018 should be the time for him to prove it – a step up is needed for sure.

About the author

Scott is a veteran MMA writer with over two decades of experience, including his ongoing tenure in Sportskeeda, which began seven years ago. He has written over 3000 pieces for the organization, while also covering football. Before joining Sportskeeda, Scott wrote articles for websites like The Oratory and Inside Pulse MMA.

Scott has a degree in history, which drives his research skills and helps him compile accurate information. His long stint in the field helps Scott provide a clear take on important topics, such as the criticism of promotions regarding fighter pay. While he feels fighters deserve a bigger revenue share, he doesn’t want MMA to suffer with purse-split issues.

Scott’s work has been previously reshared by the former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman. He uses credible sources, such as the UFC’s official website, during the writing process.

His dedication to MMA writing won him the Feature Writer of the Month award for Sportskeeda in November 2021.

Outside of work, Scott likes to go to the gym, walk his dog, and travel.

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Edited by Akhilesh Tirumala