Dominick Reyes maximized his opportunities during a transformative journey through mixed martial arts, from minor-league menace and short-notice Ultimate Fighting Championship replacement to blue-chip prospect and top-flight contender.
Reyes made his professional MMA appearance on Dec. 4, 2014, rattled off six consecutive victories and drew the attention of the UFC with a series of devastating finishes. The Hesperia, California, native joined the promotion less than three years after he debuted, pieced together six more wins without a loss and challenged Jon Jones for the undisputed light heavyweight championship. Though Reyes failed in his bid to unseat Jones, he pushed the pound-for-pound ace to the limit and established himself as a potential heir to the throne.