Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Chiesa vs. Lee’

Light Heavyweights

Joachim Christensen (14-5) vs. Dominick Reyes (6-0)

THE MATCHUP: If you are active in the MMA spheres of social media, you probably know Reyes as the Legacy Fighting Alliance alum who, upon seeing opponent Jordan Powell making a show of grinning and shaking his head in the cage promptly kicked him in the head to earn a 53-second victory. As Reyes prepares to make his UFC debut against the tough Christensen, here is everything else you need to know about the latest online sensation out of Hesperia, California.

Reyes is 27 years old, and his professional career started in 2014. In other words, he has no shortage of time in which to find his footing in a division loaded with crusty old veterans. As a pro, Reyes has gone the distance only once, with his other five victories coming via first-round finish: four knockouts and one submission. He has not contented himself with crushing cans, but Reyes has yet to face a fighter with Christensen’s experience. With his long frame and sloping shoulders, Reyes recalls UFC middleweight Tom Breese, except the kind of pressure and aggression the latter uses to finish is the very basis of the former’s game. Often keeping his hands low, Reyes likes to use his southpaw jab as a feeler to obfuscate and set up the big left hand. There is great variation in this trusty weapon: Reyes can throw it quickly and precisely, or he can load up and sit down on it; he can throw it straight, wide or as an uppercut; he can counter or he can lead. With training and time, he may iron out his technique and turn into a serious contender.

Before that day, however, Reyes will have to go through an established veteran in Christensen. The first thing Reyes will notice about Christensen is his size. At 6-foot-4, Reyes is used to towering over his opponents, but Christensen is one inch taller and used to making his reach count. Christensen can be caught on the counter, but he is better than most tall men at slipping and pulling his chin out of the way, and his devastating counterstrikes make reaching for his head a dangerous tactic. Where Reyes uses his reach to maintain distance, Christensen is quite happy playing the tall man in the clinch, using uppercuts, elbows and knees to do damage in tight.

Of course, the grappling game may be Reyes’ biggest test. Given the quickness with which he has found submissions throughout his pro and amateur careers, it is clear that Reyes knows his way around a scramble. He will confidently latch onto a neck in the midst of a transition, finishing his choke without even establishing position first. One has to assume, however, that Christensen’s ground game runs far deeper. Five of Christensen’s wins have come via submission, and with a variety of maneuvers in his arsenal, it is unlikely that Reyes will manage to show Christensen something he has not seen before. Christensen has never been much of a wrestler, however, and tends to play a lot of guard. If Reyes can maintain distance and keep his feet moving, a kickboxing bout is to be expected.

THE ODDS: Reyes (-415), Christensen (+300)

THE PICK: Reyes certainly has more upside than Christensen, 11 years his senior, and he can certainly win this fight. Then again, this is a big step up for Reyes. Christensen is no scrub and he will be the most experienced man Reyes has ever faced by far. Reyes is used to knocking out people quickly, and that will be a tall order against the iron-chinned Dane. Stylistically, however, Reyes is more committed to his long-range game and more active overall. He will need to collapse under his own weight before Christensen can knock him down. As long as Reyes keeps a cool head, the fight is his to lose. Reyes by unanimous decision is the pick.

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