Jon Jones believes Dominick Reyes suffers from the mentality of “being a big fish in a small pond.”
The UFC light heavyweight champion intends to explore and exploit that theory when he puts his title on the line against Reyes in the main event of UFC 247 at the Toyota Center in Houston on Saturday night. The co-main event pits Valentina Shevchenko putting the flyweight title on the line against Katlyn Chookagian.
Jones heard confident talk from the likes of Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith in 2019, only to escape the Octagon with his title in tow each time. “Bones” told ESPN’s Ariel Helwani earlier this week that “it’s a really good chance” that he’ll be moving up to heavyweight and that he feels like he could beat UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic once he does.
All that’s standing between Jones (25-1-0, 1 no contest) and that jump up in weight is a game Reyes, who will look to stop the man who’s widely regarded as the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts.
Considering the history of Reyes’ body of work — 12-0 with seven knockouts — “The Devastator” — may look to those heavy hands to record the upset.
Will Jones once again prove that there are levels to his MMA skills, and that every other light heavyweight is inferior to him? Or will Reyes forcefully show Jones and the MMA world that he has the skills and power needed to dethrone the GOAT?
Here is everything you need to know about UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes.
What time is UFC 247: Jon Jones vs. Dominick Reyes?
- Date: Saturday, Feb. 8
- UFC 247 time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT
- Jones vs. Reyes fight: 12:15 a.m. ET (approx.)
UFC 247 takes place Saturday, Feb. 8, with the pay-per-view portion beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Dominick Reyes and Jon Jones are expected to hit the Octagon around 12:15 a.m. ET.
How to watch UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes
The UFC 247 pay-per-view, which includes Valentina Shevchenko vs. Katlyn Chookagian in the co-feature, and Jon Jones against Dominick Reyes in the main event, is on ESPN+.
How much does UFC 247 cost?
The UFC 247 pay-per-view price is $64.99. A subscription to ESPN+ is also needed to watch the event.
Where is UFC 247?
UFC 247 goes down at the Toyota Center in Houston, home of the NBA's Houston Rockets. Neither Jones nor Reyes has ever fought in Houston — let alone Texas.
Jones vs. Reyes odds for UFC 247
Bovada lists Jones as a -500 favorite, meaning that you'd need to shell out $500 to win $100. Reyes, to no one's surprise, is a +350 underdog. If you'd bet $100 on Reyes and he pulls off the upset, you'd bank $350.
Jon Jones record, bio
Name: Jon Jones
Nationality: American
Born: July 19, 1987
Height: 6-4
Reach: 84.5"
Total fights: 27
Record: 25-1, one no-contest
Dominick Reyes record, bio
Name: Dominick Reyes
Nationality: American
Born: Dec. 26, 1989
Height: 6-4
Reach: 77"
Total fights: 12
Record: 12-0
UFC 247 fight card
Main card
- Jon Jones (c) vs. Dominick Reyes for Jones' light heavyweight title
- Valentina Shevchenko (c) vs. Katlyn Chookagian for Shevchenko's flyweight title
- Juan Adams vs. Justin Tafa; Heavyweight
- Mirsad Bektić vs. Dan Ige; Featherweight
- Derrick Lewis vs. Ilir Latifi; Heavyweight
Preliminary card
- Trevin Giles vs. Antonio Arroyo; Middleweight
- Alex Morono vs. Kalinn Williams; Welterweight
- Lauren Murphy vs. Andrea Lee; Women's Flyweight
- Mario Bautista vs. Miles Johns; Bantamweight
- Bantamweight Miles Johns vs. Mario Bautista
- Bantamweight Journey Newson vs. Domingo Pilarte
- Bantamweight Andre Ewell vs. Jonathan Martinez
- Austin Lingo vs. Youssef Zalal; Featherweight