This weekend, Jon Jones will defend his UFC light heavyweight title for the third time in this championship reign (and his 11th time overall) when he faces undefeated challenger Dominick Reyes, who is coming off a sensational first-round knockout of Chris Weidman last year. Reyes is young, hungry, and dangerous, but despite that, Jones comes into this fight as a prohibitive betting favorite and most fans and analysts seem to agree that Jones should win this fight easily.

Well not Joe Rogan.

Speaking recently on his Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the UFC commentator believes that Reyes presents the most dangerous opponent the champion has faced since his memorable battles with Daniel Cormier.

“I believe that Dominick Reyes is the most dangerous fighter Jon Jones has faced since Daniel Cormier,” Rogan said. “I think Dominick Reyes presents a very unique set of challenges. First of all the length. The undefeated record, he is 12-0. There is confidence that comes with undefeated records, and Dominick is extremely confident. He’s a believer in himself and that belief in himself has led him to stop guys like Chris Weidman, to knock out OSP with one second to go. He’s got belief in his power. He’s got legit one-punch knockout power. He has great footwork and movement. He just had the opportunity to see Jon struggle with Thiago Santos [and] he has a style, he can mimic that kind of success, the chopping at the legs.”

Cormier is regarded as one of the best fighters to ever compete in MMA, having won both the UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titles, concurrently. Considering Cormier’s status in the sport, that is extremely high praise for the only 12-0 Dominick Reyes, but Rogan thinks it’s fair to say, and he also believes that he’s not the only one who thinks so. Rogan went on to say that he believes Jones thinks the same as he does and so Jones is going to perform at his peak this weekend.

“I think this is a dangerous fight for Jon, but I also think Jon knows it is a dangerous fight for Jon and Jon is a champion. A real champion, the greatest champion the light heavyweight division has ever known. unquestionably, and I think he is going to rise to the occasion. I think we are going to see the best Jon Jones. I think Jon Jones needs a real threat to scare him and work him up, and I don’t know if Thiago Santos was that for him.”

Jones’ last title defense against Thiago Santos was likely the worst performances of the champions career. For most of the fight, Jones was content to favor safety over offense, even when it became clear that Santos had seriously compromised both of his knees. In the end, Jones eked out a split decision that many believe he lost. But Rogan thinks that bout may have been like his first fight with Alexander Gustafsson, where “Bones” was so disinterested in the fight that he didn’t take it seriously and nearly lost his title. Against Reyes, Rogan says, that won’t be the case at all.

“Thiago Santos was a title defense and a chance for him to fight, but I don’t think that is what he gets scared of,” Rogan concluded. “I think Jon needs someone like Dominick Reyes, a real threat, so we see who he was in the second fight with Daniel Cormier when he head kicked DC and knocked him out [or] the second fight with Gustafsson when he smashed him. That is the real Jon Jones, Jon Jones when he’s pressed, and I think Dominick Reyes presents that kind of a problem and I think you’re gonna see a killer Jon Jones this weekend. I think he’s gonna be on fire.”

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VIDEO STEW

Embedded 2.

Flying finishes in the UFC.

Jorge talking about baptizing people.

Kayla coming after Gervonta Davis.

Khabib interview.

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LISTEN UP

Eurobash. Interviews with Leon Edwards, Morgan Charriere, Jai Herbert, and Brandon Gibson.

UFC Unfiltered. Interviews with Juan Adams and Andrea Lee.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Anthony Smith following up on his amputation story.

Shade.

Swoll.

Bold man.

Plans.

Ali talking trash.

Fight posters. They’re so unique.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Arjan Bhullar (10-1) vs. Brandon Vera (16-8, 1 NC); ONE Championship, May 29.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.

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EXIT POLL

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If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.