As MMA has grown from an individual sport into a global phenomenon, it has become a professional career path for many, inspiring families to follow in each other’s footsteps. Over the years, the UFC has witnessed several sets of brothers competing in the octagon. Take Khabib Nurmagomedov, for example. His success in the UFC opened doors for his cousins, like Umar Nurmagomedov and others competing in different promotions.

Amid these sibling stories, another pair of brothers has made waves in the sport—Dominick Reyes, a top contender in the light heavyweight division, and his elder brother Alex Reyes, a welterweight fighter who debuted in the UFC back in 2017. However, seven years later, their journeys have taken very different paths. Dominick Reyes has cemented his legacy as the man who made Jon Jones look mortal but tragedy has marked Alex’s career. A major setback kept Alex out of competition for six years, stalling his progress significantly. So, what exactly happened to the welterweight prospect? Let’s take a closer look at the lost six years of Alex Reyes and uncover his remarkable journey.

Meet Alex Reyes, Dominick Reyes’ brother

Without Alex Reyes, the world might never have witnessed Dominick Reyes’ rise to prominence. Don’t just take our word for it—Dominick Reyes himself once acknowledged that Alex Reyes’ gym, Combat Cage Academy, helped him find his way to MMA after his NFL dreams were shattered. Feeling desperate, Dominick turned to his older brother who introduced him to the world of MMA.

Despite being older and having a decade of experience in the sport, ‘The Executioner’ actually got his shot in the UFC a few months later than Dominick. While Dominick had already made his UFC debut in the summer of 2017, Alex had to wait for his opportunity until just before the fall. Known for his impressive 13-fight winning streak on the regional circuit in California, Alex was finally approached by the UFC just days before UFC Fight Night in 2017, when Mike Perry’s opponent pulled out.

Eager for the chance, Alex took the fight on short notice, stating, “I’m enjoying and loving every minute of this experience.” However, the bout didn’t go as Alex had expected, as Mike Perry knocked him out in the first round. Tragically, this turned out to be Alex Reyes’ last UFC fight of the decade due to severe medical negligence from doctors and medical professionals, which derailed the welterweight’s MMA career.

The troublesome MMA career of Alex Reyes

Back in 2018, the 31-year-old Alex Reyes, eager to make his mark in the UFC, left no stone unturned in ensuring a remarkable run in the promotion. To address a lingering injury from his decade-long regional career, he decided to undergo stem cell treatment. However, after receiving the injection, ‘The Executioner’ experienced unusual pain. Despite informing the doctors, they dismissed it as a normal side effect, assuring him it would subside with time.

Unfortunately, the situation worsened. Recalling the ordeal, Alex Reyes once shared that he couldn’t even explain his symptoms to any physician due to the intensity of his condition. Eventually, he underwent an MRI, which revealed that he had developed a spinal infection called Osteomyelitis. Reflecting on the cause, Alex stated, “The injection I received was tainted with E. coli, among other nastiness. Even with a fighter’s level of tolerance, the pain was unbearable.”

Yet, with unwavering resilience, ‘The Executioner’ defied expectations. Fast forward six years, and he made a remarkable return to the octagon last year, facing Charlie Campbell after his long absence. Although he didn’t secure a win, the Hesperia native once again tried to bounce back this year at UFC 305 against Tom Nolan but was still unable to find success.

At 38 years old, after years away from the sport, Alex Reyes’ journey in the UFC has stalled. However, credit goes to the UFC for standing by him, allowing him to showcase the fire that still burns within. While his future in the octagon remains uncertain, fans continue to appreciate his relentless spirit.

Meanwhile, all eyes are now on his brother, Dominick Reyes, who is set to return to the octagon next month after a recent win over Ryan Spann, breaking his streak of four consecutive losses. Dominick will face Anthony Smith at UFC 310. Who are you rooting for—Smith or Reyes? Drop your predictions below!