Polo Reyes

Marco Polo Reyes is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competed in the UFC. A professional since 2009, he was also a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2.

Background
Reyes was born on November 7, 1984, in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. Prior to become a fighter, Reyes was a carpenter. He started self-defense classes which led him into MMA training and later in competition. He was the Mexico national champion and held two regional titles in Mexico.

Early career
Reyes was attached to various promotions in Mexico from 2009 to 2014 with a MMA record of 4–3–0 period before joining The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2 competition.

The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America
In 2015, Reyes joined The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2 under team Efrain Escudero. On episode 7, Reyes faced Christihian Soto from Nicaragua in a lightweight fight, winning via TKO due to punches in the second round. On episode 10, Reyes faced Horacio Gutiérrez from Mexico in the semi-final round. He was defeated via TKO due to punches in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Reyes faced Cesar Arzamendia on the preliminary card on UFC Fight Night 78 on November 21, 2015. He starched Arzmaendia with a win via one punch knock-out in the first round.

On June 4, 2016, Reyes was up against Dong Hyun Ma on June 4, 2016, at UFC 199. Reyes knocked out Kim in the third round. Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.

Reyes faced Jason Novelli on November 5, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 98 and nabbed split decision win with the scores card of 29–28, 28–29 and 29–28.

Reyes next faced James Vick on May 13, 2017, at UFC 211. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Reyes faced Matt Frevola on January 14, 2018, at UFC Fight Night: Stephens vs. Choi. He won by knockout one minute into the fight. He was awarded Performance of the Night.

Reyes received a suspension  from USADA for six months for tested positive for banned substance ostarine from an out-of-competition drug test conducted on March 8, 2018, resulted from contaminated supplement.

Reyes faced Damir Hadžović on February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 145. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Reyes faced Drew Dober on June 29, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 3. He lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.

Reyes faced Kyle Nelson on September 21, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 17. He lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Reyes was released by the UFC on February 11, 2020.

Post-UFC career
As the first fight after the release, Reyes faced Ricardo Arreola at Lux 011 on November 20, 2020. He won the fight via first-round knockout.

He faced Marco Elpidio at Lux 013 on May 7, 2021. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Reyes then faced Fernando Martinez at Lux 018 on November 5, 2021. He lost the fight via first-round submission.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Dong Hyun Ma
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Cesar Arzamendia and Matt Frevola
 * Fifth shortest average time in lightweight division's history (6:51)
 * Third best strike differential in lightweight history (2.10)
 * Third highest rate for strikes landed per min., in UFC history (6.69)