Topuria And Garcia Trade Shots On Social Media

Ilia Topuria and Ryan Garcia have hit out at each other on social media.

The UFC lightweight champion declared he would "break" Garcia in a boxing match, the WBC welterweight champion told him to stay in his lane.

The back-and-forth escalated from there into territory that included Topuria's challenge extending to Conor Benn and a reference to one of the more uncomfortable chapters of Garcia's recent career, his failed tests for Ostarine after the Devin Haney fight in 2024.

“You built your name on hype. I built my 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 o you in the same ring. The biggest win of your career came with steroids. So that’s where your confidence comes from? Interesting,” Topuria stated

Garcia set the tone for his response early and did not soften it. "You are a damn good striker for MMA, that's it. 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."

Will The Fight Happen?

Topuria had the final word, and he chose it carefully — referencing Garcia's failed drug test ahead of his 2024 fight with Devin Haney, a positive result that led to his majority decision win being overturned.

The likelihood of an actual fight between the two is remote. Topuria is the UFC's lightweight champion with a title defence against Justin Gaethje on June 14 and Arman Tsarukyan waiting beyond that. Garcia has Benn on September 12 and a welterweight division full of meaningful matchups. Whether it plants a seed for something further down the line is a different conversation entirely.