Steve Garcia talks Yankees, T-Ball, and life outside the cage
UFC featherweight Steve Garcia has won seven straight inside the cage, but outside of it, the coaching whistle matters just as much as the striking combinations.
Garcia spoke with MMA Fighting's José Youngs this week about his life beyond fighting, touching on everything from coaching youth T-Ball to his passion for the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. The 19-5 featherweight faces Diego Lopes on the main card of UFC White House on Sunday, riding a streak that began with a first-round knockout of Chase Hooper and includes wins over Melquizael Costa, Calvin Kattar, and David Onama.
Garcia's rise at featherweight and Lopes test ahead
The finish of Onama last November at UFC Vegas 110 pushed Garcia closer to title contention, though he remains an underrated name in a stacked 145-pound division. A victory over Lopes, who has twice challenged for UFC gold, would vault Garcia into the thick of the championship conversation.
Garcia called himself a sports fanatic during the interview, which focused on his favorite sporting memories and the weekends spent on the baseball diamond with younger players. The New Mexico native has managed to stay grounded despite the winning streak, balancing cage work with community time.
UFC White House airs Sunday with Garcia versus Lopes scheduled for the main card opener.
Original reporting:
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