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The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will play host in Houston, Texas for a two-title fight pay-per-view event. UFC 247 will headline with the current Light Heavyweight Champion Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones versus the undefeated prospect Dominick Reyes. In the co-main event of the evening, Valentina Shevchenko will defend her female Flyweight title against challenger Kaitlyn Chookagian.
The bookmakers have released on odds on both fights, so we’re able to preview and analyze each fight a couple of weeks in advance in preparation to place our UFC 247 wagers.
Jon Jones (-140) vs Dominick Reyes (+350)
UFC Light Heavyweight Title Bout
Sunday, 9th February live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, USA
odds credit: sportsbookreview
Jon Jones (Defending Champion)
The reigning, defending, undisputed UFC Light Heavyweight champion of the world Jon Jones has finally lifted the stress of his shoulders and looks to be competing on a regular basis for the first time in a while. The champ took two fights in 2019 and with an early start in 2020, could easily land himself another two or three contests before the year is out.
The Jackson-Wink MMA prodigy has been a UFC champion since his early 20’s which a huge amount of pressure for a young man. Through thick and thin Jones has made through to the other side of his drama-filled life. He’ll now take on an undefeated former Footballer in Dominick Reyes with not just a title to defend, but a legacy too… from his classic feud with Daniel Cormier and his epic 2 time battle with ‘The Mauler’ Alexander Gustafsson… Jon Jones has left behind a high light reel career and he holds countless records that may never be broken. Jones is reaching a milestone of being a 10-year UFC Champion, he’s been around the block and back with some of the most elite martial artists on the planet, it’s hard to envision an upset from Reyes who holds just a 12-0 professional record. Aged just 33, Jones is young for his weight class and arguably may not have reached his prime years.
Dominick Reyes
A short amateur career in the MMA world saw Reyes hit a 5-0 record. The professional fights ahead of him were merely roadblocks on his way to the big league. Another winning streak for Reyes took his pro record to 6-0. This was more than enough for UFC boss Dana White to offer Reyes his first UFC contract.
June 25th, 2017 and the date were set. Dominick Reyes athleticism didn’t work out for his football campaign but the transition into MMA had worked out completely. The biggest MMA organization in the world was about to witness a new beast, the new generation of a mixed martial artist. It took Reyes 30 seconds to obliterate his opponent with vicious strikes, the fairy tale beginning that young California had lacked was now manifesting through the fight game.
Fast-forward two-years; Reyes has accumulated another undefeated record but this time there would be no doubts. He’s beat legends like Ovince Saint Preux, out-talented the likes of Jared Cannonier, Volkan Oezdemir & Chris Weidman, which has placed the #2 ranked Reyes in the toughest fight of his career against the defending champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.
Fight talk & Prediction
Dominick Reyes should have one thing in mind, defensive wrestling. His defensive line-backer days will come into play here and given the fact Reyes wasn’t too shabby on the wrestling mat in school; should give him enough expertise to defend off the ever-dangerous grappler that Jon Jones can be.
The striking output and accuracy of Jones should reign supreme in this bout. It’s hard for me to envision such an athletic and explosive champion like Jones falling victim at the hands of Reyes offensive striking.
I respect Reyes and his abilities but he’s already overlooking Jones by claiming champ status, I’d have my full attention on Dominick Reyes because the Californian native is on a one-way trip to a championship…one day, but not this week, Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters of all time and his time hasn’t come yet, arguably Jones is in the prime of his life.
Look for Jones to take this fight where ever he pleases, he can dominate in the clinch, strike at distance, dirty box on the inside, wrestle and perform a high level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu if he wants this fight on the ground. He doesn’t hold G.O.A.T status for no reason, Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones will continue his reign into the spring of 2020.
UFC 247 Fight Prediction: Jon Jones defeats Dominick Reyes
