Dominick Reyes vs. Chris Weidman: Two fighters at different stages

When Dominick Reyes (11-0) takes on former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman later this month in Boston, their will be so much at stake for two men who find themselves at very different stages in their respective careers.

For Reyes, a win over Weidman means that he’s next up for current UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones. Jones has dominated the 205 lbs division for the majority of the past decade, and many MMA pundits believe Reyes is the biggest threat to his throne. He’s made it clear since day one that this has been his destiny. His confidence coupled with what he believes is his moral obligation to take out Jones almost makes this fight an inevitability.

Reyes opened as a favorite in this fight and he’s only becoming a bigger one as fight night grows nearer. If you’re the type that likes to bet on UFC and you like Reyes, now would be the time to get some action. If you like Weidman in this fight, you’re likely to see the comeback on him continue to grow leading up to fight. He currently sits at right around +135 depending on where you like to spend your hard earned coinage.

Chris Weidman knows what it’s like to be the undefeated top contender. After a headline grabbing finish of Mark Munoz back in the summer of 2012 — remember UFC on Fuel TV? — Weidman would earn himself a shot at the once indestructible Anderson Silva for middleweight gold. And the rest is history.

Now, the 35-year-old finds himself at a bit of a crossroads in his career. The Strong Islander went from talks of a potential super fight with Jon Jones to 4 KO/TKO losses in 5 fights. It’s something not so uncommon when you get to this level, the competition is so unforgiving and the target on your back as a former champion never goes away.

A jump up in weight for Weidman could be the new beginning that he needs in what could very well be the twilight of his career. Also, you have to consider that 3 of Weidman’s last 4 contests have come with the pressure of entertaining in his own back yard, where he played such an integral part of finally getting MMA legalized. Fighting in Boston, where he’ll still be repping the East Coast, will take the pressure of Weidman and a victory will put the first ballot Hall of Famer right into the thick of things in a division that has been screaming for new blood.

Weidman and Reyes headline ESPN’s sixth UFC offering on October 18th and will take place inside of Boston’s TD Garden arena. The card will be co-headlined by Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens where the two featherweights will look to make things right after last months ugly no-contest in Mexico City.