UFC light heavyweight Dominick Reyes has dubbed Jon Jones ‘smug and arrogant’ following his retirement U-turn.
Jones became embroiled in a back and forth saga with Tom Aspinall towards the end of his UFC career before his retirement from the sport was eventually announced.
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Jones reversed on his decision to retire from MMA to fight at the White HouseCredit: Getty
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Aspinall is the current UFC heavyweight champion and makes his return on October 25Credit: Getty
However, ‘Bones’ has since reversed the decision and expressed his desire to fight at the highly-anticipated UFC White House card in July 2026.
Although UFC CEO Dana White confirmed he has no interest in including Jones in the event’s headline act, several MMA fans have been left uneasy by Jones’ return, including Reyes, who has his own history with the MMA great.
Reyes was asked by fellow UFC star Kamaru Usman on his Pound 4 Pound podcast why he thinks fans have been angered by Jones’ actions.
“Because he does this thing that he does, he just strings everyone along, lies, and tells this and says that,” Reyes responded.
“He’s smug and arrogant about it. He’s not being genuine. We just want a genuine answer out of you.
“Not some bullc**p string everybody a long, ‘Oh, well, maybe this,’ Are you going to fight or not?
“I think that’s what everybody’s mad about, is [Jones] trying to play with all of us.
“If you’re done, say you’re done. If you’re not done, say, ‘Let’s go, but I want more money, or I want this.’ That’s it.
“Don’t say, ‘We’ll see! There’s a big announcement coming out, and then it’s nothing. I think that’s why people were so mad.”
What is next for Dominick Reyes in the UFC?
Reyes went on a six-fight winning streak at the beginning of his UFC career before he met Jones in a light heavyweight title bout.
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Reyes fought Jones for the light heavyweight title at UFC 247 in February 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Although ‘The Devastator’ lost the bout via unanimous decision, several members of the MMA fraternity thought he should’ve won.
After his defeat to Jones, Reyes lost three more bouts in a row, which prompted him to quit the sport for two years.
He scored a first-round knockout on his return in June 2024, and has since embarked on a three-fight winning streak.
Now, Reyes returns to action in the main event of UFC Perth on September 27 to face Carlos Ulberg in a light heavyweight title eliminator bout.
Jones, meanwhile, left MMA for three years after beating Reyes to move up a division, and submitted Ciryl Gane on his return at UFC 285 in March 2023.
This crowned him the UFC heavyweight champion, but ‘Bones’ only made one defence of the title over the next two-and-a-half years, until he retired.
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Reyes is undefeated in his last three UFC fights and returns on September 27Credit: Getty
During this time, Briton Aspinall had earned his spot as the division’s interim champion, challenging Jones for months to a title bout.
Aspinall was elevated to undisputed status following Jones’ retirement, living up to his word of making the latter retire without even fighting him.
Reyes was asked if he would like another go at Jones before he lays down the gloves.
“I did,” he responded. “If you guys don’t remember after that [Jones] fight, I lobbied for the rematch for an entire year and he said, ‘Drop the belt’ and went to heavyweight.
“Literally that’s what happened. People forget that. He ran from me!
“He said, ‘You’re not paying me enough to fight that guy. He’s too dangerous.’ That was literally his response.”
Jon Jones called out for White House card by his most hated UFC fighter