Reyes KOs Jacoby for 1st UFC win since 2019

Dominick Reyes is back.

The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger scored his first win in nearly five years Saturday night, knocking out Dustin Jacoby at the 2:00 mark of the first round in the UFC Louisville co-main event.

Reyes set up the finish with a hard left hand that put Jacoby on wobbly legs. He followed up with a barrage of punches against the fence and then dropped Jacoby with a knee in the clinch. Jacoby briefly returned to his feet, but Reyes attacked him with another flurry, and referee Dan Miragliotta waved off the fight.

"It feels so good," Reyes said in his postfight interview. "It's been a long time coming. Let's go."

Reyes snapped a four-fight losing streak with his first victory since a knockout of former middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC Boston in October 2019. "The Devastator" hadn't stepped into the Octagon since November 2022.

Reyes suffered a controversial unanimous decision loss to Jon Jones in a bid for the 205-pound belt at UFC 247 in February 2020. That was the first defeat of his pro MMA career. He then lost three in row to drop out of the title picture, falling to Jan Blachowicz (in a vacant title bout), Jiri Prochazka, and Ryan Spann - all by knockout.

Reyes debuted in the UFC in 2017 and began his stint with six straight victories, including against the likes of Jared Cannonier, Volkan Oezdemir, and Ovince Saint Preux. Reyes is ranked No. 15 in the light heavyweight division.

Jacoby is now riding a two-fight skid and has lost three of his last four Octagon outings.