Dominick Reyes believes Johnny Walker win could earn title shot

Dominick Reyes has gone on record saying that a win over Johnny Walker would put him in line for a light heavyweight title shot against whoever holds the belt, signaling his intent to climb back to the top of the 205-pound division.

Reyes, 36, carries a 16-5 record and currently sits at number eight in the light heavyweight rankings. The American southpaw out of Teixeira MMA and Fitness stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and is one of the division's more active strikers, landing 5.39 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate. A former title challenger, he is looking to remind the division of his championship pedigree with a standout performance against Walker.

Walker enters the matchup at 22-10, ranked eleventh at light heavyweight. The 34-year-old Brazilian, who trains out of SBG Ireland, brings a significant size advantage to the cage — standing six-foot-six with an 82-inch reach. He lands 4.06 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and adds a submission threat with 0.8 attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a varied offensive toolkit to complement his physical tools.

Why it matters

• A Reyes win could push him from eighth toward a legitimate title eliminator conversation at 205 pounds.
• Walker, ranked eleventh, also has divisional ranking stakes on the line — a loss would push him further down a crowded field.
• The stylistic matchup pits Reyes's high-volume southpaw striking against Walker's longer orthodox frame and submission threat.
• Scheduling and official confirmation of the bout have not yet been announced.