DELOS REYES GEARING UP FOR UFC JAPAN

By Patrick Lujan

Guam’s second fighter to make it to the UFC – Jon ‘The Heat’ Delos Reyes – is set for his second fight under the biggest MMA promotion in the world when he fights Japan’s Kyoji Horiguchi on September 20th at the Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

JDR looks to rebound from his debut loss to Dustin Kimura on Jan. 4th of this year via first round armbar in a fight he was clearing winning with his solid standup game.

GSPN catches up with JDR in Las Vegas where he trains full time heading into this month’s big fight card headed by heavyweights Mark Hunt and Roy Nelson.

(note: also on the card are former PXC champions Michinori Tanaka and Hyun Gyu Lim. Nelson also fought in the PXC back in 2004)

Jon Delo Reyes looks to bring the heat in Japan on Sept. 20th in his second UFC fight. (courtesy photo)

GSPN: Will you be doing some training on Guam before heading to Japan.

JDR: I’m not too sure yet. I’m still trying to plan it out.

GSPN: What’s the biggest lesson you learned from the first fight.

JDR: After my last fight, I realized two things: The “UFC jitters” are real; and patience can go a long way when fighting in this league. The fighters here are a lot more polished, so I had to work on that aspect of my game.

Coming into this fight I will be a more mature fighter and I will showcase that on September 20th.

GSPN: You’re facing a fighter the UFC has high hopes in, what’s your plans to spoil their hopes.

JDR: Without really saying much, I’d just like to say that I’m working hard to improve on all the aspects of my game.

GSPN: How has your game evolved from the last time you fought. Why the change in hair style.

JDR: Losing my last night in that fashion was a wake up call. I know I belong here with all these high level athletes. So, my entire lifestyle has changed. I train two to three-times a day just to improve myself. As far as the change in hairstyle, I don’t have to get it cut as often as I did, saving me a bit of money. Plus, (in the voice of Ned Stark) “Winter is coming.”

Thank you, Pat. Thank you, Guam!

Also, I’d like to thank the following people who have been here for me through all ups and downs: My Mom, Imelda Espinoza, my brothers and sisters, my entire family, My girlfriend Nicole Casallo, Mike and Donna Remigio, Emily Tolentino, My Coaches Sonny Chargualaf, Sonny Nohara, Ian Omalza, Jon Tuck, Jason Joson, Lloyd Cubacub, Armin Eusebio, everyone from SoNo BJJ, Xtreme Couture, Omalza Fitness, and Alliance Muay Thai.

JDR hopes to be doing the smiling after taking on one of Japan’s brighter fighters. (GSPN file photo)