UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: REYES vs. WEIDMAN – Everything you need to know

Alastair Bishop Posted On October 18, 2019

262 Views

Light Heavy Hitters

UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: REYES vs. WEIDMAN features two Americans eager to show they can take on current UFC champion Jon Jones.

Dominick Reyes, the 29-year-old hailing from Hesperia, California, has had successful performances since joining UFC in 2017. Reyes currently holds an unbeaten professional record and his victories include first round wins against Joachim Christensen, Jeremy Kimball and Jared Cannonier. Reyes showed true grit earlier this year at UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: TILL vs. MASVIDAL when he had to dig deep to take a split decision win over Volkan Oezdemir.

A former football player, Reyes initially planned to pursue his NFL dream whilst playing defensive back for the Seawolves at Stony Brook University. When Reyes wasn’t drafted, he decided it was time to focus on Mixed Martial Arts. The light heavyweight athlete is gunning for a fight against current UFC champion Jon Jones and a win here will propel him closer to that dream.

His opponent, 35-year-old Weidman, makes his light heavyweight debut this Friday. The former middleweight champion has his work cut out to stop the undefeated Reyes but “The All-American” believes he can go the distance. Weidman formerly defeated Anderson Silva twice back when “The Spider” was in his prime and proves impressive skills inside the Octagon.

Whilst this fight is hard to call, one thing’s for sure; the winner of this bout will catapult themselves into a title fight conversation.

Liverpool’s Fighting Pride

This weekend’s event features two EMEA athletes who will have the chance to make their mark on the flyweight division.

Fan favourite Molly McCann hails from Liverpool and will be fighting in the prelims. McCann returns to the Octagon® after a superb performance against Ariane Lipski at UFC® FIGHT NIGHT GREENVILLE, where she won via unanimous decision. Known for her striking skills, McCann spoke to UFC about feeling secure in her abilities as a fighter earlier this week.

Reflecting on what this fight means to her, McCann said: “I’m English-born but my family’s Irish – Molly McCann, it doesn’t get any more Irish. To be asked to fight in Boston with such an Irish background, an Irish culture, an Irish fighting city, I don’t think it gets any better.”

Molly welcomes newcomer Diana Belbita to the UFC this Friday. Hailing from Romania, Belbita is an accomplished kickboxer and held the titles of a multi-national champion. “The Warrior Princess” is currently on a three-fight win streak and will have to be at her very best when she takes on the fighting pride of Liverpool.

London Lad

Darren “The Dentist” Stewart hailing from London England features on the main card as he locks horns with Daniel Cormier’s protégé Deron Winn in a middleweight contest.

Stewart has returned to form in recent times, picking up three wins in his last four fights, including his most recent victory against Bevon Lewis at UFC 238. The speedy striker has earned knockouts in two of his past three wins.

Deron Winn, however, is currently unbeaten and travels to Boston for his second UFC fight. Winn has focused on improving his striking to compliment his immense wrestling base as he looks to continue his ascent through the rankings. Standing at 5’7”, Winn is an exciting prospect for the middleweight decision, but Stewart may be his toughest competition yet.

Main Card

Dominick “The Devastator” Reyes vs. Chris “The All-American” Weidman

Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez vs. Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens

Greg “Prince of War” Hardy vs. Ben “Combat Wombat” Sosoli

Joe Lauzon vs. Jonathan “JSP” Pearce

Maycee “The Future” Barber vs. Gillian “The Savage” Robertson

Deron Winn vs. Darren “The Dentist” Stewart

Prelims

Charles “Boston Strong” Rosa vs. Manny “The Bermudez Triangle” Bermudez

Molly “Meatball” McCann vs. Diana “The Warrior Princess” Belbita

Kyle “Crash” Bochniak vs. Sean “The Sniper” Woodson

Randy “The Zohan” Costa vs. Boston “Boom Boom” Salmon