March 25, 2024

Morning Report: Joe Rogan wants to see Jon Jones rematch Dominick Reyes: ‘I think Dominick will be even better in the rematch’

By Jed Meshew@JedKMeshew 

MMMfighting.com

Earlier this month, Jon Jones successfully defended his light heavyweight title by the skin of his teeth, taking a controversial unanimous decision over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. It was one of the rare times in MMA where a dominant champion winning actually further muddied the title picture as now there are a number of contenders with legitimate claims to getting the next shot at Jones. Currently it would appear that Jan Blachowicz, who just knocked out Corey Anderson in the first round, is next but many fans are calling for an immediate rematch between Jones and Reyes, chief among them, UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

Speaking on his Fight Companion podcast during UFC Auckland, Rogan began discussing what’s next for Jones, saying he’s excited to see a rematch between Jones and Reyes, in part because he thinks Reyes is still improving.

“I’m excited to see that rematch,” Rogan said. “I think Dominick Reyes will be even better in the rematch. I think Dominick Reyes realizes now that it’s all about having the energy in that third, fourth, and fifth round, and having now been to the top of the mountain and faced the dragon, I think he’s gonna come back better than ever.”

Though Reyes is 30 years old, “The Devastator” is still young in fight years, having only started MMA six years ago. Meanwhile Jones, though only 32, has been competing in MMA since 2008 and has seemingly been showing signs of decline in his last few fights, scraping by with wins over Reyes and Thiago Santos. But Rogan isn’t sure if aging is the cause of Jones’ decline or if it’s just a matter of motivation. After all, a decade at the top of the game, even with his hiatus in the middle, is a long time to stay sharp.

“You’ve got to wonder how much of that slowing down is his enthusiasm, how much of it is physical?,” Rogan questioned. “Maybe if a big fight comes up like a Stipe Miocic fight, or Francis [Ngannou]. . . He had a couple of years off because of all his troubles outside of the octagon. Two years where he really wasn’t fighting. But other than that, he’s had nine solid years against world-championship caliber fighters.”

It’s a fair point. Jones famously did not train for his first bout with Alexander Gustafsson and nearly lost his title as a result. When the two did finally rematch though, a fully motivated Jones ran through Gustafsson en route to third-round TKO win. Similarly, in the lead up to UFC 247, Jones did not seem especially concerned with the danger posed by Reyes. Now, having nearly lost his title, a rematch may bring back the old world-beating Jones. Or, as Rogan points out, it could bring out an even better version of Reyes, one who may just win the title.

“I’d like to see it,” Rogan said referencing Jones’ impressive performance in rematches. “I want to see what Reyes can do, too. Reyes has got that rub now. Reyes is gonna come into that second fight knowing he came a c*nt hair away from being the light heavyweight champion of the world. One judge gave it to Jon four rounds to one which is f*cking embarrassingly bad but other than that . . .”


MUST-READ STORIES

Results. Dan Hooker wins split decision in five-round warPaul Felder hints at retirement after UFC Auckland main event.

Results. Yaroslav Amosov remains undefeated, Tim Johnson scores huge upset KO at Bellator 139.

Results. Leah McCourt earns decision win in main event of Bellator Dublin.

Broken. Paul Felder thinks ‘face is definitely broken’ after UFC Auckland battle with Dan Hooker.

Boxing. Tyson Fury finishes Deontay Wilder in seventh round to cap off dominant performance.

Apology. Israel Adesanya apologizes for trash talk referencing 9/11 tragedy.

Injury. Karolina Kowalkiewicz reveals injuries suffered at UFC Auckland, headed for surgery to repair damage.


VIDEO STEW

Combat sports weekend post show.

Bellator 239 recap.

LFA 82 highlights.

Who should Jon Jones fight next?

UFC 249 prep.

Cejudo and Gaethje call out Conor.

Free fight.


LISTEN UP

6th Round. Immediate post-fight analysis of UFC Auckland.

Severe MMA. Discussing Bellator Dublin, UFC Auckland, and Fury-Wilder II.


SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Mystic Dan.

Dan Hangman Hooker@danthehangman

I predict these tings.89111:14 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy94 people are talking about this

Friends.

Enemies.

Wow.

The best place to get advice.

Emil Valhalla Meek@emilvalhalla

How to defend a takedown7909:20 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy100 people are talking about this

Hit list.

Angela Hill@AngieOverkill

😈

Da list

View image on Twitter

2842:23 AM – Feb 24, 2020 · Auckland, New ZealandTwitter Ads info and privacy44 people are talking about this

Call out.

Aljamain Sterling@funkmasterMMA

💯

Tell @ChaelSonnen there’s a new BAD GUY in town! #Portland Streets love the SerraLongo crew! 3346:13 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy37 people are talking about this

Beef.

GILBERT BURNS DURINHO@GilbertDurinho · Feb 21, 2020

🤦🏾‍♂️
🤷🏾‍♂️
🤦🏾‍♂️
🤷🏾‍♂️
🤡
🤡
🤡

Training by Diego Sanchez Coach WTF #stupidshit https://twitter.com/tonyfergusonxt/status/1230252261680398336 …

Tony Ferguson@TonyFergusonXT

🖕
🕶
🇺🇸
🏆
🇲🇽

# DrinkItUp Casual Hashtag# IKnockedOutAllWelterweightsInTUFTournament Ace. That’s Why You Will Never Succeed, Too Busy Watching Others Meet & Exceed Their Own Expectations Rather Than Take Care Of Your Own Shit. What A Tool -CSO- 2998:30 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy28 people are talking about this

GILBERT BURNS DURINHO@GilbertDurinho

⬇️

STFU @TonyFergusonXT and make sure you don’t fuck up this time! Stay safe for April by the way I like this warm up u did before sparring https://twitter.com/tonyfergusonxt/status/1231738162239561737 …669:27 AM – Feb 24, 2020 · Boca Raton, FLTwitter Ads info and privacy25 people are talking about this

Would watch.

Bryce Mitchell@ThugnastyMMA

Let’s go @ufc https://twitter.com/CharlesRosaMMA/status/1231743372433461249 …Charles Rosa@CharlesRosaMMASave the date @ThugnastyMMA May 2nd @UFC Let’s make it co-main event in OKC!! We’re gonna show the world who the BMF in the division is #RosaVsMitchell #FOTN7439:58 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy63 people are talking about this

Bryce Mitchell@ThugnastyMMA

Let’s go @ufc https://twitter.com/CharlesRosaMMA/status/1231743372433461249 …Charles Rosa@CharlesRosaMMASave the date @ThugnastyMMA May 2nd @UFC Let’s make it co-main event in OKC!! We’re gonna show the world who the BMF in the division is #RosaVsMitchell #FOTN7439:58 AM – Feb 24, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy63 people are talking about this

About Author