Dominick Reyes – the light heavyweight champion that could have been. Among the men that truly tested Jon Jones in the Octagon, and pushed ‘Bones’ to his limits is Dominick Reyes. At UFC 247, ‘The Devastator’ stepped into the ring as the heavy underdog where most people thought Jones would make easy work of him. However, much to everyone’s shock, Reyes took the fight to Jones, pushing the legendary champion to his limits over five grueling rounds. However, he came up short in his efforts against the champion, despite many in the fight community calling that fight in his favor. Regardless, he will always be remembered for that legendary performance.

But behind the intense action and spotlight of the combat arenas where Dominick Reyes has made his name, lies a rich and meaningful story. ‘The Devastator’ has a deep connection to his heritage and culture, as well as family values; things that have shaped him into the person and fighter he is today. In that light, let’s take a closer look at the #12-ranked light heavyweight’s ethnicity, nationality, family background, and religion.

What is Dominick Reyes’ ethnicity and nationality?

Dominick Reyes was born on December 26, 1989, in Hesperia, California, to a Mexican-American family. Hesperia is notorious for gang-related activities and instances of violent crime. Growing up in a close-knit family, his parents encouraged him to pursue sports as a means of keeping himself out of trouble. His father, Jose Reyes, is a hardworking individual who instilled discipline and determination in Dominick from a young age. Reyes often credits his success to his father, and even worked for Reyes Sr.’s cabinetry business as a college student. ‘The Devastator’ takes pride in his Mexican heritage and often celebrates the successes of his fellow Mexican and Hispanic fighters in the UFC.

Apart from his father, his mother Monique Reyes was also a major influence, especially in times when the #12-ranked light heavyweight was going through his worst moments. She stood by him when his dreams of being drafted to the NFL after playing college football at Stony Brook, came crashing down. At that low point in his life, she encouraged him to go outside and spend time with his brothers, and even go to the gym to combat the dark clouds lingering over his head at that time.

That was when Dominick Reyes went to his brother Alex Reyes’ MMA gym, armed with a background in high-school wrestling. His brother really helped him hone his skills as an all-rounded MMA fighter, and soon ‘The Devastator’ amassed an amateur record of 5-0 before going pro in 2014. The rest is history, still being written. It seems like his family’s influence was a major factor in his success as a top-tier athlete. But it isn’t just the support of his parents, but also his deep-rooted values, as well as faith and the fear of God that keeps him grounded to this day, even in his losses. In that light, let’s take a closer look at Dominick Reyes’ religious background.

What religion does Dominick Reyes follow?

Dominick Reyes is a devout Christian. While not overly vocal about his religious beliefs, he has occasionally mentioned how his faith provides him with strength during challenging times. He famously declared his faith in God before his fight with Dustin Jacoby, who he knocked out in the first round at UFC on ESPN 57. “I’ve come back around to just enjoying it, being grateful, and trusting in my Lord Jesus Christ.”, said Reyes, who was on a four-fight losing skid up until June 2024 this year.

His humility and dedication reflect the principles he holds dear, rooted in both his religious convictions and his upbringing. For Dominick Reyes, Christianity is more than a belief system—it’s a guiding force that has helped him navigate the triumphs and trials of his life and career. Reyes is all set to feature at the upcoming UFC 310 event. The light heavyweight fighter will be taking on Anthony Smith in a highly exciting clash.

Will Dominick Reyes be able to continue his winning ways against ‘Lionheart’ Smith on Saturday? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.