The way Dana White sees it, Ryan Garcia would be sticking around with boxing for some more time. Of course, currently, he is serving a one-year suspension for failing to clear the drug tests for the Devin Haney fight. Of course, he has been expelled by the WBC. But that doesn’t mean the young boxer cannot try his luck on any other platform apart from the squared circle. For starters, fans might as well recall his online spat and call out with ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley.

Two months ago, Garcia, in a post, hinted at a move to join the UFC. A few weeks ago, clips of the young boxer trying his hand grappling attracted considerable attention. Given his youth, experience, and expertise in a striking combat sport like boxing and perhaps some basic-level understanding of ground-fighting techniques, Ryan Garcia could have some chance. However, someone else doesn’t seem to believe so. In an extensive interview, UFC President Dana White shared his thoughts on several issues, one among them was Ryan Garcia.

UFC: We’ll pass for now, thanks Ryan Garcia.

Some half an hour after the discussion started, one of the hosts at ‘Full Send Podcast’ asked Dana White, “In the UFC could be a bit different now… like, what about Ryan Garcia? I know he’s been saying he wants to fight in the UFC, not a boxing match.”

Dana White replied curtly, “Ryan can’t fight anywhere right now; he’s under suspension. You know what I mean. I don’t know what the situation is. What we do in the UFC is – the best in the world, fight the best. That’s what we do, you know.”

The reply followed Dana White talking about Jake Paul. Given how Jake Paul called out UFC champion Alex Pereira, one of the hosts at the ‘podcast asked White whether UFC would ever consider roping in Jake Paul or any other influencer combat sports fighter in its roster. The Manchester, Connecticut-born combat sports entrepreneur refuted this, asserting that is not how UFC conducts its business.

It was in June that Ryan Garcia proclaimed, “I’m headed to the UFC.” Later, in another post, he added, “I’m excited for my first fight in the UFC.” Nevertheless, given what Dana White said, that pretty much sums up the UFC’s stand on his chances for the time being.

That said, any hopes for ‘KingRy’?

Now, as much as it’s about White’s views on Garcia’s chances of fighting a mixed martial fight in the UFC, the bigger question remains whether the young boxer has the wherewithal to participate in a discipline that is closest to a real fight. Reportedly, light heavyweight fighter Khalil Rountree sounded quite optimistic about Ryan Garcia’s chance in the octagon.

Speaking with ‘GiveMeSport,’ he even suggested some tune-ups for the young boxer to elevate his game. “I think adding kicks and takedowns… it’s another element. When you have a high-level boxer, and they’ve been doing this and they know how to fight, their instincts are reactive to boxing. Anybody who’s a high-level boxer has a fair chance in the UFC,” said Rountree.

There are instances of fighters who started their journey in combat sports as boxers. But eventually, they transitioned to mixed martial arts. So strictly on paper, Ryan Garcia, if he wants to make such a career change, he can do it. But the fact remains that it may be easier said than done. It needs a certain level of expertise to face the high-caliber fighters that the UFC brings out. To reach their level, it might take him two-three years, even if he decides to commit himself fully to MMA.

But who can deny the kind of optics it might bring to the UFC if they absorb a superstar like Ryan Garcia?