Steve Garcia calls out Dan Ige after setting knockout record at UFC on ESPN 60
UFC featheweight Steve Garcia has been on a record-setting roll, and wants to test himself against a ranked opponent like Dan Ige.
LAS VEGAS – UFC featherweight Steve Garcia made it four wins in a row by defeating Seung Woo Choi, and has his eyes set on a showdown with Dan Ige.
Not only has Garcia (16-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) won four straight, but he has also knocked out each of his opponents, setting a record for the longest TKO/KO streak in the UFC.
Choi (11-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC) was the latest victim in the first round of the UFC on ESPN 60 co-feature. Garcia’s run includes stoppages of Chase Hooper, Shayilan Nuerdanbieke and Melquizael Costa.
Now, “Mean Machine” wants a piece of Ige (18-8 MMA, 10-7 UFC), who recently stepped up on just a few hours’ notice for a same-day fight against Diego Lopes at UFC 303.
“I called him out because he was actually supposed to headline this card, I believe,” Garcia said during a post-fight news conference. “When his fight fell through, I raised my hand. I was like, ‘Hey man, I’ll take it.’ I responded to his message. I don’t know if he took that, laughed it off, shrugged it off – I don’t know. He doesn’t seem like a disrespectful dude, but I obviously didn’t have that opportunity. It didn’t even matter because he stepped up to fight Diego Lopes, which shows what kind of gangster he is, like 100 percent.
“But I think that would be a fun fight. I think the fans would love that fight. He brings it, I bring it. That’s fireworks in the making. I’m just helping the matchmaker out.”
Ideally, Garcia would like to have that matchup at Noche UFC, which takes place at Sphere in Las Vegas on Sept. 14. Ige was promised a spot on that card after stepping up to fight Lopes, so if all things align in the matchmakers’ eyes, Garcia could end up with his wish.
You can watch Garcia’s complete UFC on ESPN 60 post-fight session with reporters in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 60.