Current WBC interim Lightweight Champion Ryan Garcia has been a major topic in combat sports for the past few months. He is currently suspended by the New York Commission due to consuming banned substances a day before facing Devin Haney, resulting in the fighting being declared a no-contest. Garcia was fined $1 million and ordered to pay an additional $10,000 fine.

Shockingly, Ryan Garcia announced on social media that he is going to debut in the UFC and will train with the UFC’s current Light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira.

Ryan Garcia announces UFC debut amid boxing ban

Soon after the New York Commission banned him from boxing, “King Ryan” announced his temporary retirement on 19th June from the sport for 365 days until the ban was lifted, In an interview with TMZ Sports, Ryan Garcia confirmed this decision.

Ryan Garcia recently made headlines on Twitter/X, sharing two significant announcements: ” I’m excited for my first fight in the UFC” and “I will be training with #AlexPereira.” These posts followed shortly after UFC CEO Dana White publicly expressed his support for Garcia during the UFC 303 post-fight conference.

During the interview, Dana White addressed the controversy surrounding Garcia’s recent suspension from boxing due to a banned substance. White emphasized the issue of tainted supplements, supporting Garcia’s claim of innocence. He stated, ” With all our knowledge that we have and the years that we’ve been drug-testing, we believe the people who had handled the drug-testing [knew] that he took a tainted supplement and that he did not cheat.”

White further commented that proper management and oversight could have prevented the situation, saying, “If he had the right people around him that wouldn’t have happened. We were pretty confident it was a tainted supplement.”

These statements from Dana White provided a strong endorsement for Ryan Garcia amidst the ongoing discussions and criticism surrounding his career move from boxing to the UFC, an idea that was even supported by UFC light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree in the past.

Khalil Rountree sees potential in “King Garcia’s” MMA dreams

Khalil Rountree, who is also serving a ban from the UFC for consuming banned substances, which led to the cancellation of his fight against Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 yesterday, recognized the potential of Ryan Garcia transitioning into an MMA fighter. He also commented on Ryan Garcia’s dream to debut in MMA in his recent interview with GiveMeSport.

“I think adding kicks and takedowns,” Rountree said, “it’s another element when you have a high-level boxer, and they’ve been doing this and they know how to fight, their instincts are reactive to boxing. I think anybody who’s a high-level boxer has a fair chance in the UFC.” Khalil Rountree also mentioned that if takedown were out of the equation, he might only manage to get through the first. He acknowledged it would be a tough second for him regardless.

Now, Ryan Garcia himself has announced his debut in the UFC, transitioning from fighting in the WBC lightweight division. He will likely continue fighting in the UFC lightweight division. With plenty of contenders eager to face him, the UFC lightweight division promises exciting matchups and significant fight purses. Stay tuned for further updates.