Dominick Reyes talks Jon Jones, 2025 goals, fighting Nikita Krylov & more ahead of UFC 314 [Exclusive]

The former title challenger is on a two-fight win streak!

Former UFC Light Heavyweight title challenger ‘The Devastator’ Dominick Reyes is all set to battle Nikita Krylov at UFC 314 this Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The Devastator is currently on a two-fight-win streak and is looking to extend it against Krylov.

Reyes bounced back last year after four huge losses, three of which ended in brutal fashion for him, while his fight with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and the current Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones which he lost is still contested by many fans who believe he won the fight.

However, Reyes’ problem began in the next match as he lost the vacant title match against Jan Blachowicz in a devastating fashion. After two more losses to Jiri Prochazka and Ryan Spann, Reyes took some time off and bounced back with a round-one win over Dustin Jacoby in July 2024.

Reyes continued his ascend as he defeated Anthony Smith next at UFC 310, and is now looking to extend his win streak.

Ahead of his fight at UFC 314, Dominick Reyes sat down with Khel Now for an exclusive interview. The Devastator discussed the mental side of fighting, getting married, the controversial decision against Jon Jones, the upcoming fight against Nikita Krylov, MMA fans in India, and more.

Also Read: UFC 314 Volkanovski vs Lopes: Fight card, time, telecast, live streaming info & more

Changes in life after getting married

Dominick is loving life after marrying “the woman of my dreams” and mentions that while life hasn’t changed drastically yet, particularly because they don’t have children.

“Oh, it’s amazing. It’s amazing. Thank you so much. That’s awesome. It somehow got even better. So I’m happy. Is there a change in balancing your life? Well, not quite yet, because we don’t have children yet. That’s kind of like, I feel like that’s going to be the big change.

But she’s still extremely supportive and taking care of me, and we’re taking care of each other, and I’m going to be happier.”

Is 35 the new 25?

Dominick agrees with the statement that ’35 is the new 25′, conveying a sense of happiness and enthusiasm for what’s ahead. He also mentions how his perspective has shifted as he has gotten older.

“Yeah, absolutely. I would 100% agree with that. When I was 30, I would be like, 30 is the new 20. And 35 is definitely the new 25. I’m barely starting my second phase of my life or this part of my life. I don’t know. I’m happy and excited. I feel young. I feel very young.”

When asked if he feels he has found success in his career, Reyes states that winning isn’t his only success and that despite the importance of winning in fighting, there’s more to life. Reyes also mentions that he feels untouchable in the octagon, like ‘a young vet.’

“Oh, yeah, absolutely. And that’s exactly it. Winning isn’t my only success anymore. Winning is obviously everything when it comes to fighting and all that. But not winning is, there’s more to life. But I’m at the point in my life where I feel untouchable in the octagon when I train, when I fight. I’m so wise.

I’ve put so many different things together. I’ve been through so much different stuff. And I still feel so young. So it’s a cool feeling. It’s like I feel like a young vet.“

Development in sports medicine, changes in training camp & mental aspect of fighting

Lauding the developments in sports science, Dominick revealed that he started focusing on body health with his strength coach before the Dustin Jacoby fight.

“Well, actually, speaking of the sports science and everything, I started working with my strength coach beginning before the Jacoby fight. We focused on full body health as well as lifting weights and agility and movement, different sciences that keep the body young and keep the mind sharp and healthy.

The Devastator also added that understanding yourself is a big part and stated that he doesn’t need to join big gyms or take too much damage in training because there’s self-doubt.

“So that’s been a big, big part of what’s been going on. And then just understanding that everything I have is within me. I don’t have to go to all these crazy gyms to find something that I already have or train with all these guys and get myself all beat up and concussions before the fight and all this because I’m unsure of how good I am.

I know exactly how good I am. And I’ve proven it many times. So I don’t have to be out there taking all this unnecessary damage like a young fighter would, I guess, or somebody who’s unsure of who they are.”

The former title challenger also professed his faith in Jesus Christ and has played a significant role in shaping their perspective on life. He expresses deep gratitude each day, emphasizing the importance of keeping a positive mindset.

“And then, obviously, a big, huge thing has been my faith, my faith in Jesus Christ and the Lord, being grateful for every single day, and waking up and just like, dang, man, I get to do this. I don’t have to do this. I get to do this.

And that whole mindset is everything. It’s easy to go and train hard when you are grateful to. You go, dang, man, I don’t want to do this. It’s like, I do want to do this. I get to do this. So yeah.”

When asked how important is the mental aspect in fighting, Dominick replied stating that “it’s 80-20, mental.”

“As soon as you get one little chink in your arm, that little chink will show on fight night. It’ll be the biggest hole you’ve ever seen.

And that’s the thing about fighting. If you’re not 100%, if you don’t have everything in order, mentally, physically, spiritually, it’s going to show, whether you want it to or not, whether you’re lying. I’ve gone out there and lied to myself and said, it’s all good.

It’s all going to be fine. And it doesn’t go all good. It’s not fine, because you can’t. MMA is all exposing, exposes all your anything that’s going on that’s not right. Yeah, you could have a fight where things don’t go your way, but it’s different. When I’m in order, nobody can touch me.“

The fight with Jon Jones, the upcoming clash with Nikita Krylov & goals after a win at UFC 314

When asked about the controversial decision against Jon Jones and his perspective after all these years, Dominick revealed that he feels the same and pointed out that he won the fight at UFC 247, 3-2, “Same. I feel the same way I felt as soon as they said, hey, Joe Rogan said, hey, Dominick, you did enough to win? And I said, yeah, man, three-two.”

Talking about his opponent this Saturday, Dominick lauded Krylov stating that while he isn’t well known among fans, he has been fighting way longer than him in the UFC. He also stated that as a fan himself, he would have loved to watch this fight.

“He’s a heck of an opponent. I think he’s one of the toughest matchups in the whole division. I think he’s underrated, because he’s not really around a lot. And he’s not really well-known, but he is a dog. He’s been fighting.

He’s been in the UFC longer than I have. People don’t even know that. And he has an incredible motor. He has an incredible chin. He’s very tough. I see the fight going to just being fight of the night, man.

We’re going to be coming at each other. He shows up to fight. He shows up to fight with everything he’s got. And I do the exact same thing. So it’s going to be a very good fight. If I wasn’t fighting, I would love to watch this fight.”

When asked about his 2025 goals and his path forward if he wins this Saturday, Reyes stated that he isn’t some unproven guy, pointing out that he is in the top ten and a finish might help him jump the line and get a title shot, “I think a win puts me one away. You know, I’m in the top 10 and I’m Dominic Reyes.”

I’m not some random guy who’s unproven. People know exactly who I am. I go out there and show the world, remind the world, that I put on a great performance, finished the guy who hasn’t been finished in a long time.

And yeah, I’ll become undeniable. Maybe one more and then a fight, a title fight. Who knows? Maybe jump the line.” Reyes added.

Message for UFC fans in India

“India, I know you guys love fighting. I know you guys love grit and determination and hard work. I’m out here giving my all. I hope you guys appreciate what I’m doing. I appreciate you. God bless!”

The Devastator praised India’s passion for fighting, grit, and hard work. He also expressed gratitude towards the Indian fans, leaving with the intention of another conversation Reyes concluded stating, “I’ll see you on the other side.”

Watch UFC-314 – Volkanovski vs. Lopes on 13th April 2025 at 7:30 AM IST LIVE On Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu)

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