When a fighter’s world comes crashing down in under a minute, what does it take to rebuild from the rubble? That’s the question haunting Dominick Reyes after his shocking knockout loss at UFC Perth—where dreams were shattered, and careers hung in the balance. While the RAC Arena in Western Australia lit up with excitement on Sept. 27, 2025, the post-fight glow didn’t reach everyone. Ivan Erslan saw his hopes derailed by Jimmy Crute’s ‘camel clutch’ submission (watch the moment here), and Jake Matthews’ victory was robbed by a hotly debated referee’s call (replay the chaos here). But no one’s story is as gut-wrenching as Reyes’.
Let’s rewind. Reyes, once a title contender, had clawed his way back into relevance with three straight wins—a hard-earned redemption arc after a brutal four-fight losing streak. His clash with Carlos Ulberg was a chance to extend that streak to four and reignite his shot at gold, a goal he’s chased since falling short against Jon Jones in 2020. But destiny had other plans.
Ulberg didn’t waste a second. From the opening bell, the Swedish striker unleashed a relentless assault—jabbing, striking, and methodically dismantling Reyes. Then, with less than a minute left in the first round, a picture-perfect two-punch combo found Reyes’ chin, sending him face-first to the mat. Before he could recover, Ulberg delivered a thunderous right hand that ended the fight—and Reyes’ momentum (see the brutal finish here).
Reyes took to social media shortly after, writing, “Congratulations to Carlos, just wasn’t my night. God is always good.” It’s a humble response, but the reality is starker: at 35, bouncing back from this kind of setback is no small task. The light heavyweight division is a warzone of hungry veterans and rising stars (check the latest rankings here), making every comeback battle feel like climbing Mount Everest in a hurricane.
Still, Reyes isn’t out of the fight. Ranked No. 7 in the division (see the full rankings here), a single win could keep his upward trajectory alive. And here’s where it gets interesting—could a rematch with Volkan Oezdemir be on the horizon? The two clashed in March 2019, with Reyes winning a razor-thin split decision that left Oezdemir fuming. Both fighters have been on wild rollercoaster rides since then, but here’s the twist: Oezdemir’s last loss also came at the hands of Ulberg, who dominated him via unanimous decision in November 2024.
Now, Oezdemir sits at No. 9 in the rankings (see the full list here), just two spots behind Reyes. A rematch could serve as a reset button for both men—proof of resilience or a step back into obscurity. But here’s the catch: would fans prefer seeing Reyes face a hungry contender like Aleksandar Rakic or a familiar foe in Oezdemir? Is a rematch a fair test of growth, or just a rehash of old drama?
Let’s not forget the bigger picture. Reyes’ loss raises questions about the UFC’s matchmaking philosophy. Should fighters like him be given a fresh start against lower-ranked opponents, or is it time to trust their experience and pit them against the top tier? And what about the referee’s call that cost Jake Matthews his win—was it a split-second mistake, or a systemic issue in how strikes are judged? We’d love to hear your take. Drop a comment below and tell us: Is Reyes still a viable title threat, or has this loss marked the end of his comeback story?
For full coverage of UFC Perth results, highlights, and analysis, click here.
