As UFC Fight Night: Brady vs. Burns approaches, all eyes are on UFC featherweight sensation Steve Garcia, who steps into the Octagon once again this Saturday, just two months after his latest knockout victory. Facing off against Canada’s Kyle Nelson, Garcia is on a mission to continue his devastating streak and prove once again why he’s a knockout artist everyone should be talking about.
The Knockout Streak: Four in a Row and Counting
If there’s one thing fight fans love, it’s knockouts. And no one has been delivering them quite like Steve Garcia. The Albuquerque native is riding high on a four-fight win streak, with each victory coming by way of knockout. Despite this electrifying run, Garcia remains humble, not getting caught up in the social media frenzy that often surrounds fighters on hot streaks.
“Who said that?” Garcia laughs when asked about the buzz surrounding his knockout power. “That’s a good thought to have, I guess.” He’s not interested in the hype—Garcia’s focus is solely on the job at hand: winning fights and supporting his family. “The UFC pays me to do a job. They put a bounty on this guy's head. If I go and get him and I give the UFC his head, they pay me to do that.”
Garcia’s bounty hunter mentality is paying off. In his last six outings, he’s notched five knockouts, with his only setback being a 2022 loss to Maheshate. That lone defeat hasn’t deterred him, though, and he continues to chase finishes with a hunger that suggests he’s just getting started.
A Fighter with a Chip on His Shoulder
Even with an impressive streak, Garcia feels like there’s still plenty to prove.
“I feel like I still have that chip on my shoulder,” Garcia said. “People are still doubting me. They're just waiting for me to fall. I feel like they're anticipating it, that it's only a matter of time, and I'm here to just prove people wrong.”
But more than silencing the doubters, Garcia fights to prove his supporters right. “I’ve got to make believers out of some of these people that may doubt me,” he added.
His attitude mirrors that of UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, another knockout artist with a pragmatic approach. Like Liddell, Garcia has a backup plan outside of the cage but steps into every fight knowing that winning is non-negotiable.
“I have to win,” Garcia stated. “If I don't win, my family suffers. That’s just how it is.”
Chasing Glory Against Kyle Nelson
Garcia’s knockout spree has already earned him two Performance of the Night bonuses for his victories over Chase Hooper and SeungWoo Choi. Now, as he prepares to face Kyle Nelson, Garcia isn’t just looking for a win—he’s aiming for a finish that will leave a lasting impression on the UFC, the fans, and his featherweight peers.
“I'm just trying to continue to rack up these wins,” Garcia said. “And it's just not just winning anymore. How you win is a big deal. I'm trying to do it in a devastating fashion. I'm trying to be undeniable here.”
With his trademark confidence, Garcia believes he’s ready to cement his place as one of the elite at 145 pounds. “I've arrived,” he declared. “Over the last four fights, I've been able to show you that I can put anybody out that stands across from me. And these are the best guys in the world that are across from me; I believe that I'm just better.”
Kyle Nelson presents a formidable challenge, but Garcia isn’t shying away from the moment. He’s ready to make a statement.
The Stage Is Set
As Garcia steps into the Octagon this Saturday at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, there’s one thing on his mind: adding another knockout to his highlight reel. The featherweight division is one of the most competitive in the UFC, but Garcia is determined to show that his power, hunger, and work ethic set him apart from the rest.
Don’t miss UFC Fight Night: Brady vs. Burns on September 7, 2024, live on ESPN+. The prelims start at 4 PM ET/1 PM PT, with the main card kicking off at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. Will Garcia continue his knockout streak? Fight fans won’t want to miss the action!