Ryan Garcia faced significant struggles with mental health and substance abuse, leading to a downward spiral after his fight against Devin Haney, but he eventually realized the need for change and is working to take responsibility for his actions and turn his life around.
Ryan Garcia has been candid about his mental health battles, but the period surrounding his fight with Devin Haney was particularly turbulent. It almost led to catastrophe.
At 26, Garcia delivered a standout performance, knocking Haney down multiple times before securing a majority decision. However, that victory was short-lived; a positive test for Ostarine turned it into a no-contest, and he faced a year-long suspension.
Even before this debacle, Garcia was caught in a cycle of alcohol abuse. The fight’s aftermath only exacerbated his downward spiral.
“I was going through a divorce,” Garcia shared with Ring Champs. “There were so many things happening in my life, and I messed up.”
“My problems existed before the fight, but they snowballed afterward,” he confessed. “Things got so bad I ended up arrested at the Waldorf for doing stupid stuff.”
In June 2024, Garcia faced misdemeanor vandalism charges after trashing a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel room in Beverly Hills. The charges were dropped after he paid $15,000 in restitution.
Garcia recalls this as one of his darkest moments, drowning in alcohol both pre- and post-Haney fight.
“I was living in another universe,” Garcia admitted. “I’m shocked I’m still here. Drinking was daily—yes, even on fight day—as I tried to numb whatever was inside me.”
“I took too many shrooms that time,” he continued. “Lost control. Broke everything in the hotel room. I don’t remember much—just drunk and messed up.”
The arrest became a wake-up call for Garcia. He realized he needed help or risked becoming another tragic tale of fame gone wrong.
“I was into everything: gambling, drinking, women,” he said. “Just tearing myself apart.”
“The turning point? Realizing I was wrecking my life,” Garcia noted. “Getting arrested hit hard; nearly losing my kids hit harder.”
His parents urged him to seek help for his growing issues, but he mostly ignored their pleas.
“They wanted me to get help,” Garcia revealed. “But when you’re in that state, you just don’t listen.”
“Having everything at your fingertips isn’t for everyone,” he added. “With an addictive personality like mine, I just went overboard.”
Thankfully, hitting rock bottom prompted change for Garcia, though staying on track is an ongoing battle.
While acknowledging poor influences around him, Garcia refuses to shift blame onto others.
He insists all responsibility lies with him and continues owning up to his actions beyond the ring.
“I don’t like blaming anyone else—that’s not me,” Garcia stated firmly. “I take responsibility. It’s all on me.”