With a five-fight knockout streak inside the octagon, Steve Garcia believes he must be a larger talking point entering into UFC Fight Night 252.
After a string of conclusive efficiencies, Garcia (17-5 MMA, 6-2 UFC) will get his greatest test to date when he handles famous striker Edson Barboza (24-12 MMA, 18-12 UFC) in a featherweight bout on the Feb. 22 card at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle (ESPN+).
Some are acknowledging his work, as MMA Junkie did by calling him the 2024 Under-the-Radar Fighter of the Year, Garcia confesses he's not feeling the love throughout the board.
“I'm absolutely under the radar,” Garcia informed MMA Junkie Radio. “I do not seem like I get the regard that I ‘d like to believe I most likely are worthy of. That stated, each individual's viewpoint (is various). I've checked out posts where individuals do not believe I'm champion quality, individuals do not believe I'm ranked quality. They can believe what they wish to believe. Every win in my UFC profession is a surface. I'm not hardly skating by. I'm not hardly getting wins. I've been ending up all my opposition.”
Garcia, 32, comprehends the absence of attention around his name is partly of his own doing. As excellent as his battling has actually been, Garcia, a respectable reference in the most recent USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie featherweight rankings, stated he might do a much better task playing the video game beyond the cage.
It's not his nature to play that video game, nevertheless, and if taking a longer roadway to the top is an effect of not demeaning himself, then Garcia stated he's accepting of that fate.
“I wish to be must-see television,” Garcia stated. “I'm not going to be acting a fool. If you desire that out of me, and I'm not stating I will not talk– there's times and locations for whatever, however I'm not a clown. If I wished to act a fool, I would've signed up with the circus. I'm not attempting to make a fool out of myself. My moms and dads didn't raise me that method. I'm here to be as expert as I perhaps can be, and if individuals wish to get on board, thank you quite. If you do not, a minimum of you're going to have something to root for, whether it's versus me or for me. I assure you'll be captivated.”
Very little advertising effort is required to create enjoyment in between Garcia and Barboza. The emphasize reels on both sides suffice to understand a Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night reward is most likely being released after it's done.
That's what Garcia is chasing after, he stated, and he anticipates Barboza to be a ready individual in the design of battle he's trying to find.
“Sometimes you do not got to manage the mayhem, you've got to grow in it,” Garcia stated. “I seem like, particularly in my battles,
