EXCLUSIVE | Dominick Reyes wants OSP next, and eventually Daniel Cormier

Dominick Reyes is perhaps the fastest rising contender in the UFC light heavyweight division. In just three UFC bouts, he’s already usurped the number-11 spot in the divisional rankings, and now, he’s hoping to take another big step up the ladder with a win over a top-10 foe. More specifically, he wants Ovince Saint Preux, who recently won big with a submission defeat of Tyson Pedro.

Shortly after his win over Pedro, Saint Preux said he was willing to fight pretty much anyone, and as somebody who definitely qualifies as ‘anyone,’ Reyes is taking that as a call-out.

“I’m looking ahead and Ovince is…. he’s a guy that I feel I match up really well with and he wants to fight so let’s fight,” Reyes said on the latest episode of BJPENN.COM Radio. “I don’t know if he wants to fight me, but I’m ‘anyone’ so let’s do it.”

While Reyes is now keen on fighting Saint Preux, he’s not sure the feeling is mutual. He thinks Saint Preux might be looking for a higher-ranked foe — and Reyes can understand that.

“I’m gonna say 60/40 that he doesn’t take it at this point,” Reyes said. “I kind of see where his head’s at as well. He’s in the top 10. He’s maybe thinking about a title run. Fighting someone like me is very dangerous, like you said, and if he’s gonna make a title run, he’s gotta go forward, fight guys like maybe Jimi [Manuwa] or [Jan] Blachowicz. But he did open his mouth and say some things, so I’m just responding back to what he said. Anyone, anytime.”

Whoever Reyes gets next, he’s determined to win, and win some more until he’s earned himself a shot at the UFC light heavyweight belt. In his eyes, he might even earn that opportunity in time to serve as reigning champion Daniel Cormier’s retirement fight.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being Cormier’s retirement fight,” he said. “Hey, you never know. I just gotta keep winning fights and stay optimistic. Come on, man. Let’s fight. There’s nothing to worry about, except a loss. Let’s have fun, man. Let’s go in there and have fun. Show these fans what’s up. Let’s do it.”

Who do you want to see Dominick Reyes fight next?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/29/2018.