Ilia Topuria and Ryan Garcia recently traded a series of heated messages after the reigning UFC lightweight champion floated the idea of stepping into the boxing ring in the future.
Topuria, who is preparing to defend his title against Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House event on June 14, made it clear he believes he could compete at a high level in boxing right away.
“I’d be very comfortable,” Topuria said in an interview when asked about facing Garcia. “I think I would break him before it gets to the judges’ decision.”
That confidence quickly drew a sharp response from Garcia.
“You are a damn good striker for MMA that’s it,” Garcia fired back on social media. “You wouldn’t be sipping on tea after our fight you would be eating through a straw after our fight. Stay in your lane. I’ll gladly stay in mine.”
“El Matador” didn’t hold back in his reply.
“You built your name on hype,” he wrote. “I built mine by putting legends to sleep. I would give you a boxing lesson. We are not on the same level. Bring the guy that you fight in September. I would beat both of you in the same ring.”
Garcia doubled down, dismissing the undefeated Spaniard’s chances in a pure boxing setting.
“I built my name sleeping guys that are way better boxers then you will ever be,” Garcia responded. “You’ve seen many MMA fighters try and you’ll just be another UFC hype job cashing out by getting knocked out by a boxer.”
The exchange escalated further when Topuria referenced a controversial chapter in “KingRy’s” career.
“The biggest win of your career came with steroids,” Topuria wrote. “So that’s where your confidence comes from? Interesting.”