Ryan Garcia calls for title unification bout vs. Teofimo Lopez: 'That's the move' - MMA Junkie
LAS VEGAS – Ryan Garcia wants to add another world title to his record, and he's got his eyes on a specific one.
Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) called for a title unification bout against WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez following his win over Conor Benn this past Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena. Garcia made his first title defense of the WBC welterweight belt, making quick work of Benn (25-1, 14-KOs) with a second-round TKO stoppage. Garcia seems to have a wide range of options, but the fight with Lopez stands out more than any other.
"I want to unify against Teofimo," Garcia told reporters at a post-fight press conference. "I think that's the move. It's a huge fight. Teo is an entertaining dude, and it's going to be one hell of a buildup. He's a good fighter, too. Let's run it."
Lopez won the WBA welterweight title last month, defeating then-champion Rolly Romero, who had taken the WBA title from Garcia in a big upset back in 2025.
Garcia impressed many with his showing on Saturday. Many thought that Benn could push him and give him a tough outing, given his grinding fighting style. However, that was not the case.
"I think that it kind of went exactly how I imagined it," Garcia said. "He was going to decide to put pressure on me right away, kind of banking on the idea that I may start folding somehow and just maybe get tired, but you can't jump in like that. It's just not the move."
Garcia and Benn had a lot to say before the fight, and there was plenty of heat between them. They seemed to have settled their differences in the ring after the fight. All trash talk aside, Garcia thought Benn wasn't at his level, and he felt he proved that on Saturday.
"He's exactly what I thought he was, and he just needs to gain a little bit more experience," Garcia said. "I don't think he has enough experience at this point. I just don't think he was as experienced as me, but I think he will be back, and he went in and tried to fight me."
