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Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will fight for Jon Jones' vacated light heavyweight title at UFC 253

Dominick Reyes will get another shot at winning the light heavyweight title, but it won’t come against Jon Jones. Reyes’ fight against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 253 will be for the light heavyweight belt after Jones vacated that title Monday.

Jones, 33, said he spoke to UFC on Monday and agreed to vacate the title. Jones isn’t retiring, though. He said he wants to come back to UFC as a heavyweight.

That news opened the door for Reyes, 30, to claim the title for himself. Reyes lost a controversial decision against Jones in February, which allowed Jones to hold on to the light heavyweight title. It was Reyes’ only loss since joining UFC.

Blachowicz, 37, has put up a 26-8 record. He earned a shot at the title after beating Corey Anderson in February. Blachowicz knocked out Anderson in the first round of the fight.

The fight between Blachowicz and Reyes will take place Sept. 26.

Jan Blachowicz has been waiting for a title shot

Blachowicz expressed excitement over the bout with Reyes, saying he’s been “waiting for this moment” his entire life. Reyes posted about the fight on Instagram, saying “you know what it is.”

Jones received criticism for his decision to not give Reyes a rematch after their close fight in February. Jones explained his rationale on Twitter, saying “there’s always going to be another guy waiting for his turn.”

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