A charging featherweight is set for his first UFC main event.
UFC Vegas 110 headliner Steve Garcia is riding one of the most impressive winning streaks in the promotion, having won his last six fights inside the Octagon.
Garcia defeated veteran contender Calvin Kattar last time out, securing a rise up to No. 12 in the official rankings at 145 pounds. Although ‘Mean Machine’ will be fighting down the ladder this Saturday, it will mark an opportunity to emerge victorious from his first time in the main event spotlight.
The 33-year-old’s maiden headliner comes just over six years after his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series, but that is not the performance that actually netted Garcia a contract.
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Steve Garcia was not given a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series after missing weight
Before arriving on MMA’s biggest stage in February 2020, Garcia had failed to secure a contract on DWCS despite an impressive finish.
The New Mexico native mauled Desmond Torres during episode nine of the show’s third season, but Dana White did not offer Garcia a contract because he had missed weight.
Garcia committed a cardinal sin, coming in 3.5 pounds over the bantamweight limit. ‘Mean Machine’ did, however, accept the fight on late notice, providing him with something of an excuse for the indiscretion on the scale.
The 33-year-old later reflected on the experience and explained why he accepted the short-notice weight cut.
“The UFC is my goal. The reason why they didn’t give me the contract because I missed weight,” Garcia told The Fight Library in early 2020.
“(Dana White) was very nice with me, it was just short notice and unfortunate. Mick Maynard called and asked if I wanted the fight. I didn’t cut the full 30, but I cut down 20 pounds.
“You still take the fight. I need to put my skill set in front of Dana White, Sean Shelby, and Mick Maynard. They liked what they saw. They definitely got their eyes on me,” he added.
Garcia ultimately moved up to featherweight, where he’s experienced immense success in the UFC thus far.
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Steve Garcia takes aim at Alexander Volkanovski ahead of UFC Vegas 110
Garcia is looking to make another statement in his return at UFC Vegas 110, as he pursues a seventh straight win to continue his climb toward the top.
‘Mean Machine’ has aspirations of earning a title shot soon enough, and with that in mind, the 33-year-old wants to see some movement from the champion.
During Wednesday’s media day interview, Garcia accused Alexander Volkanovski of holding up the featherweight division.
“Volk’s too busy cooking,” Garcia said. “So, he’s holding everybody up at the top.
“He just needs to make a decision. Just pick somebody! I don’t know, just pull it out of a hat. Somebody, right? Because we are all waiting.
“Get the division going again,” he added.