Featherweight Steve Garcia rebounded from a loss and resigned with the UFC, and he plans to take things one fight at a time, working his way through 2023.
Featherweight Steve Garcia has had an up-and-down journey in the UFC. After starting his 2022 with a loss to Maheshate at UFC 275, Garcia was able to redeem himself with a win over Chase Hooper at UFC Fight Night in December. This victory not only improved his record but also allowed him to resign with the UFC and continue his career path with the company. Garcia spoke to MMAWeekly.com about his 2022 record, saying, “I like to think I did okay. I got some wins, I did it in spectacular fashion, and I picked up a 50K bonus, so all good things.”
Following his struggles earlier in the year, Garcia believes the losses made him stronger in the end. He was able to identify and repair issues with his game, which gave him the opportunity to showcase his true capabilities during his last fight. Garcia will face Shayilan Nuerdanbieke in a preliminary bout at UFC 287 on April 8th. He is looking to build on the momentum he gained from his victory against Hooper last year and to further cement his place in the UFC.
Garcia’s focus is on one fight at a time, but he has an idea of what he wants to do in 2023. He hopes to be fighting in August, although he acknowledges that anything can happen in the unpredictable world of MMA. For now, his sole focus is on his upcoming fight in April. Garcia acknowledges the strengths of his upcoming opponent, saying, “He’s had some impressive performances in the UFC already and I feel like his wrestling is at a high pedigree, and with his striking you have to watch out for because he lands one of those shots and it can definitely put you in trouble,” Garcia said of Nuerdanbieke.
Despite the challenges Garcia has faced in his UFC career, he remains focused on his goals and is determined to continue improving his game. His struggles and victories have given him valuable experience and insight, which he hopes to carry with him as he navigates the ever-changing world of professional fighting.