Ryan Garcia, known for his dynamic presence both inside the ring and on social media platforms, is exploring an unprecedented move from boxing to MMA. The 25-year-old boxing sensation, who has yet to claim a world title, is set to challenge WBC junior welterweight champion Devin Haney on April 20 at the Barclays Center. However, Garcia's ambitions extend beyond the boxing ring as he recently issued a challenge to UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley, proposing a fight within the UFC octagon.
Garcia’s confidence in transitioning to MMA was highlighted during his appearance on The MMA Hour, where he claimed his natural athleticism and conditioning would guarantee him a victory over O'Malley. Despite acknowledging the disparity in their boxing skills, Garcia believes an MMA match would provide a fair test of his abilities.
Efforts to make the bout a reality have seen Garcia reaching out to UFC president Dana White, although he has yet to receive a response. Garcia clarified that his challenge stems from a competitive spirit rather than any animosity towards O'Malley, mentioning a dispute over a theme song as one of the provocations for his callout.
Despite his extensive boxing experience, Garcia has never participated in a professional MMA fight, making this potential crossover a significant leap into uncharted territory. As the boxing community awaits Garcia’s upcoming bout with Haney, his proposal for an MMA fight against O’Malley adds an intriguing layer to his already captivating career.
Image Credit: DAZN