Boxer Ryan Garcia has expressed his desire to challenge UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in an MMA fight, claiming he has already contacted UFC CEO Dana White about the potential matchup.
Ryan Garcia is itching for a face-off with Sean O’Malley in the octagon. He made this bold proclamation on The MMA Hour. His desire? To take on the UFC’s reigning bantamweight champ in an MMA fight, not boxing.
Garcia’s got a solid 24-1 (20 KOs) boxing record. He’s also got a much-anticipated match with Devin Haney on April 20. But he’s sure he can step into O’Malley’s world and come out on top.
His words? “I’ll beat his ass in MMA guaranteed.” Garcia claims he’s a natural wrestler. He’s even beaten his security guy, who’s a wrestler. He’s strong and has crazy conditioning.
Garcia and O’Malley have been publicly debating a boxing match. O’Malley, too, has a big fight on the horizon. He’s defending his title for the first time at UFC 299 against Marlon Vera, the only man who’s beaten him in MMA.
Several MMA stars have made profitable leaps from the cage to the ring. Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou are prime examples. Neither had their hands raised in their boxing debuts, but Garcia believes he can pull off the crossover.
O’Malley’s response? “That’s already been done.” He’s sure he’d knock Garcia out in a boxing match. But he’s willing to test himself in MMA. He believes with the right training and support, he can beat O’Malley.
Garcia’s not just talking. He’s already reached out to UFC CEO Dana White. He’s sent texts, connected with people who know Dana, and he’s ready to step into the UFC.
Garcia’s already a big name in boxing at 25. He’s got a huge social media following and won his first 23 pro bouts. He was stopped by Gervonta Davis last April, but bounced back with an eighth-round knockout of Oscar Duarte.
O’Malley’s had a similar rise to fame. He won the UFC bantamweight title this past August with a knockout of Aljamain Sterling. Garcia sees a profitable potential in a match with O’Malley.
Garcia’s clear that O’Malley called him out first. He also accused O’Malley of trying to claim his theme song, Superstar. Garcia insists he came up with it first.
Garcia admires O’Malley’s fighting style. But that’s not deterring him from his desire to fight O’Malley under MMA rules. He’s even willing to do it this year, after his bout with Haney.
Garcia’s game plan? “Just give me three or four months of MMA training, I’ll go beat his ass.” He’s even asked Nate Diaz to train him. He’d also ask Conor McGregor. Every month, a new coach. That’s his strategy.