What does it take to become a UFC fighter? In short, it requires immense sacrifice. These athletes endure grueling weight cuts, intense training, and punishing sparring sessions. All while often staying away from their family and loved ones. That’s what it takes to compete at the highest level in Dana White’s promotion. However, Dominick Reyes went even further, making a significant personal decision solely for the sake of his career.  

‘The Devastator,’ after defeating Nikita Krylov at UFC 314, shared some wonderful news with the UFC world. Reyes announced on Instagram story that he and his partner, Brenda Lupian, are expecting a baby. While a UFC fighter becoming a father is always special, it becomes even more remarkable when you consider the decision Reyes made. Before facing Carlos Ulberg at Perth, the former 205-pound challenger opened up about delaying fatherhood to fully pursue his MMA dreams.  

Dominick Reyes opens up about fatherhood ahead of UFC Perth

In an interview with Submission Radio, Reyes said, “No, because I waited till I’m 35 now. So, I know… kinda planned it, right? So, before it was like all about my career, and everything being, I’m being selfish, right? You can’t be a family man with this, initially. So, I avoided it for as long as I could. Until I found the right person.”

It can be extremely challenging for fighters to balance family life with the intense training leading up to an important fight. So, it’s understandable that Reyes waited so long before ultimately deciding to welcome a new life. However, the 35-year-old shared that he had prioritized his responsibilities as an MMA fighter first, but he also opened up about how he’s feeling now that he’s finally stepping into fatherhood.

He added, “But my mom always says, ‘Men don’t become fathers until they hold their baby. Women become mothers as soon as they get pregnant.’ It changes for them, like right away. I don’t really feel that change yet. Because it’s not ‘real’. I haven’t held my son. I haven’t looked in his eyes. I haven’t felt his heartbeat. I felt his heartbeat; I felt it by putting my hands on him. But, I guess it was one of the profound moments when I was feeling him move in her belly.”  

Reyes definitely opened up a lot here. While he sounds genuinely excited to welcome his first child, it’s clear that he’s still holding on to his warrior mindset as he prepares to enter the Octagon. ‘The Devastator’ is set to face a dangerous opponent on September 27th, and he clearly has a plan for how the fight might unfold.

‘The Devastator’ is expecting a technical fight against Carlos Ulberg 

The UFC Perth headliner is definitely a high-stakes bout. Dominick Reyes and Carlos Ulberg are set to collide at RAC Arena, with both fighters potentially looking to strengthen their position for a future title shot. The Kiwi has already made a name for himself with an eight-fight winning streak! But Reyes believes his own experience could pose significant challenges for his opponent. He’s expecting nothing less than a technical battle inside the Octagon.

Continuing the Submission Radio interview, the American said, “I think it’s gonna be another technical fight, we’ll see what happens. I have a boatload of experience against super high-level competition. I know how to win fights, and I know how to put on exciting fights, too. So, we’ll see if I can get my dance partner to dance with me, or if he wants to just back against the wall.”

Dominick Reyes also issued a bold call-out to Ulberg, urging him to show early aggression in the fight. He took some shots at the Kiwi, pointing out that most of his wins have come via decision and criticizing his fighting style for lacking brutality. But is ‘The Devastator’ looking for a firefight, or is he actually prepared for a five-round chess match? Either way, winning this fight is crucial if Reyes still wants to keep his title dreams alive.

To find out, we’ll have to keep a close eye on the UFC Perth main event. With that said, do you think Reyes will be extra motivated to win now that his son is on the way, or will the “Black Jag” triumph? Let us know in the comments below!