Javier Reyes sets UFC top 15 ranking goal to close out 2026
· Yahoo Sports
From newcomer to ranked contender, that's the goal for Colombia's Javier Reyes this 2026.
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Reyes (23-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who joined the UFC through a Dana White Contender Series contract win in 2025, wants to make a big impact in his first year as an official UFC fighter. The featherweight title hopeful debuted for the UFC in February, stopping veteran Douglas Silva de Andrade in a first-round TKO. Now, Reyes returns at UFC Fight Night 280 (Paramount+) this Saturday at Crystal Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan. He takes on Kaan Ofli (13-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC).
Reyes intends to get another dominant win, climbing to 2-0 in the promotion, and call for a spot on September's Noche UFC event, setting himself up for a third – and maybe even a fourth to close out 2026.
"I think it's a possibility, yeah," Reyes told Hablemos MMA in Spanish when asked if he could find himself in the rankings by 2027. "I think I'll finish this guy and get directly into the top 15. I think at the very least I can close out the year in the top 15, and after that, I can begin to hunt the bigger names. But step by step."
Reyes made a big statement in his debut. He dispatches a tough and experienced Silva de Andrade. Despite the big win, he still feels UFC fans haven't seen what he's really about.
"To be honest with you, yeah, we took the victory and the bonus, but I wasn't happy because I thought I entered the fight a bit timid," Reyes explained. "I felt that I didn't apply what we worked on. We worked the defense for his hook, and he still hit me with it. I do feel like that was the toll you have to pay to debut in the UFC because you come in timid. I think that the first time, you're going to be a little less aggressive. This time around, I have more confidence, and I'm going to fight three times better than I did that time."
Reyes' opponent, Ofli, is no slouch. He had a successful run on The Ultimate Fighter 32 and is currently on a two-fight winning streak that includes a submission win over Ricardo Ramos. Reyes respects what Ofli has done, but still feels very comfortable in dealing with whatever is thrown his way on Saturday.
"I think he's a very strong opponent, but at this level, everyone is strong," Reyes said. "Regardless, I have a lot of experience. I almost have 55 fights in total. I'm not going to face anything new. I've faced all types of challengers, stronger ones, too. I've faced tougher strikers, and I've beaten them. On top of that, my physicality. I'm taller, longer, and just bigger. I cut more weight. I will have a physical advantage that night. I'm also from Bogota. With that altitude, I don't get tired anywhere. I can fight all night at the same rhythm."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC's Javier Reyes sets goal of top-15 ranking to close out 2026