Gritty lightweight Leonard Garcia will return to the Octagon at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 Finale on June 23 against a competitor on the current season of the reality series, according to FightNetwork.com.
He did not name his opponent.
Garcia burst onto the UFC scene back in April at UFC 69 — albeit in a losing effort to Roger Huerta via unanimous decision. It was the “Fight of the Night,” and in the post-fight press conference UFC President Dana White singled out the Greg Jackson product for his solid effort.
Here’s a snip from the news bit:
“Though he lost a unanimous decision, Garcia won over fans with his tenacity and toughness as he absorbed Huerta’s best shots, at times meeting his opponent’s strikes with smiles. Many consider it a frontrunner for Fight of the Year.”
Even though Garcia and Huerta went toe-to-toe for most of the night, Garcia has predominantly been successful with his submission game, winning more than 75 percent of his fights via tap out.
It will be interesting to see if the UFC puts him in the cage with another fighter like Huerta who prefers to keep the fight upright in an attempt to recapture that same magic.
This has the potential to be a solid bout … let’s just hope it’s someone who is still in the running (Diaz, Hill, Gamburyan, Lauzon, Maynard or Wiman).
We’ll keep you updated on this match up, which is probably under lock and key since the show is still ongoing and the UFC wants to avoid potential spoilers at all costs (unless of course Wayne Weems, Andy Wang or one of the other already eliminated finalists is the guy tapped to face Garcia).
The TUF 5 Finale at The Palms Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, is headlined with the rematch between coaches — and former champions — BJ Penn and Jens Pulver. For the latest TUF 5 Finale line up click here.
31 Comments »
Gamburyan has a good style for this guy.
My guess it’s him.
Garcia vs Lauzon
Garcia vs Diaz
Which ever is fine for me.
It’s a shame that Marlon Sims is already slated to fight Noah Thomas. Since Sims is a blackbelt in Sambo, Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do, Krav Maga and Praying Mantis Kung Fu, has been in 300 street fights and personally ripped out the heart of the evil Cobra Commander, Sims could probably give Garcia a stand up war for at least 90 seconds before Garcia knocks him out. That damn Joe Silva just doesn’t know how to make good matchups anymore.
[quote post="2333"]Gamburyan has a good style for this guy.
My guess it’s him. [/quote]
I would probably disagree with the one. The above article said that they will most likely match him up with someone similar to Roger Huerta, someone that likes to stand up and bang. Manny’s fight was pretty quick, but he seemed to be more of a ground and pound, ground and submission fighter. Of course he has the judo background being Karo’s cousin, but it just seems to me that Manny is too short to be a stand up banger – of course this could be completely wrong because there have been short bangers before, and this is the 155 division.
We’ll just have to wait and see. After watching the Huerta/Garcia fight, I really have a ton of respect for Leonard Garcia. That kid has balls. I’m happy that he will be fighting again pretty soon.
I bet they throw him in with Monstah Lobstah as an extra punishment for instigating Marlon’s 301st street fight.
its gotta be a guys who isnt in the finals
we will know as soon as one of the good guys lose
Either Matt or Manny to fight Garcia
I can’t wait to see this fight. This guy won me over as a fan in that fight against Huerta. This will be an interesting fight. I put money on him to win, against whoever it is.
regardless of who he fights i’ve been waiting since 69 to watch him fight again, you gotta love a guy that just loves to fight like that, he actually looked like he was having fun in that fight with huerta even though he was taking some punishment, he never seemed to get gassed either, he stayed in the fight and kept coming forward, he won me as a fan too…i think jeremy stephens would be a nice match up, those guys would try to kill each other…
Leonard Garcia is probably going to crush whichever TUF guy he faces.
THIS JUST IN FROM MY IMFORMANT TIM THE MANIC SYLVIA WILL INDEED FACE BRANDON THE TRUTH VERA.. ANNOUCEMENT IN A FEW WEEKS…
Matt Wiman will fight Garcia
On another note, it will be hella of a task for BJ Penn to make weight at 155lbs, I mean, dude is so huge compare to Jens, on the show I bet BJ walked around at 185lbs plus on, his head alone is huge. I mean what happens if he does not make weight.
Love this kid.. a real entertainer.. cant wait to see him fight again.
Im just happy to see passionate fighters fighting in the UFC….
[quote comment="74162"]On another note, it will be hella of a task for BJ Penn to make weight at 155lbs, I mean, dude is so huge compare to Jens, on the show I bet BJ walked around at 185lbs plus on, his head alone is huge. I mean what happens if he does not make weight.[/quote]
It’s not like he’s never fought at 55 before.
[quote comment="74165"][quote comment="74162"]On another note, it will be hella of a task for BJ Penn to make weight at 155lbs, I mean, dude is so huge compare to Jens, on the show I bet BJ walked around at 185lbs plus on, his head alone is huge. I mean what happens if he does not make weight.[/quote]
It’s not like he’s never fought at 55 before.[/quote]
Then he’ll fight Gabe, winner gets a double bacon cheeseburger and an ice cream cake and the loser has to sit and watch the winner eat it.
[quote comment="74131"]regardless of who he fights i’ve been waiting since 69 to watch him fight again, you gotta love a guy that just loves to fight like that, he actually looked like he was having fun in that fight with huerta even though he was taking some punishment, he never seemed to get gassed either, he stayed in the fight and kept coming forward, he won me as a fan too…i think jeremy stephens would be a nice match up, those guys would try to kill each other…[/quote]
totally agree Spida……This kid brings so much heart and he actually has talent as well. he needs some fine tuning but he could be the future of the division. He gave huerta a nice run
I know BJ fought at 155lbs before but that was like 5 years ago or so. I mean even that gay dude Gabe wanted to fight at 155lbs but failed, I mean BJ is no Gabe, I am just saying its going to be hell for BJ to cut 30 plus pounds by 23rd. Sux Dana released gay Gabe from UFC, they should have matched him with Lauzon or Wiman, so he can pound his fat azz.
Garcia is tough, no doubt. Huerta has a busy style, but doesn’t really have KO power in either hand. Now if Garcia would just listen to his corner. Throughout the Huerta fight, the Jackson crew told him not to slug, but go 1-2 and out. It turned out to be a war and Garcia got pummelled. Definitely an entertaining fighter!
This must mean that at least one of the fights this Thursday is going to be a tough one and Dana feels that the looser should still be in the UFC. Anyway, I don’t care that means that I get to see another fight for free!!!!!
Corey Hill vs. Lenoard Garcia.
That is my guess.
I bet he gives Emerson a fight…… (whether it is this one or someone else) Dana seems to love that kid, and I’m not sure why.
[quote comment="74190"]I know BJ fought at 155lbs before but that was like 5 years ago or so. I mean even that gay dude Gabe wanted to fight at 155lbs but failed, I mean BJ is no Gabe, I am just saying its going to be hell for BJ to cut 30 plus pounds by 23rd. Sux Dana released gay Gabe from UFC, they should have matched him with Lauzon or Wiman, so he can pound his fat azz.[/quote]
we don’t know that bj is walking around at 185 right now, the show was aired months ago, bj is a professional and has done this before, i bet he’s already down to at least 170, he’ll be ready to fight jens at the finale, weight won’t be an issue…
I hope is not against Louzon or Diaz, I hope to see them in the Finals.
Cannot wait to see this guy again, he showed some great talent and heart. I would like to see this guy vs Florian. Not a huge fan of Florian, but since the both can stand and bang, and both have great submissions I think it would make for a great fight.
Later
Chris Valentine
[quote comment="74229"]Corey Hill vs. Lenoard Garcia.
That is my guess.[/quote]
I’d doubt it. Everybody seems to love Hill because of his height and personality. UFC will give him plenty of time to develop without blemishing his record, thus a fight against Wayne Weems seems most likely (assuming that Hill does not make it to the final, which is probably a safe assumption).
[quote post="2333"]we don’t know that bj is walking around at 185 right now, the show was aired months ago, bj is a professional and has done this before, i bet he’s already down to at least 170, he’ll be ready to fight jens at the finale, weight won’t be an issue… [/quote]
da Spida, I bet BJ has already done a test cut since the show was “shot”. Even the event posters show a trimmed down BJ and those shots were probably taken at the end of the show. Every episode you see BJ running or cycling in the gym and he looks a little lighter each week. I think this will be one fight that BJ is definitely in shape for.
[quote comment="74267"]I bet he gives Emerson a fight…… (whether it is this one or someone else) Dana seems to love that kid, and I’m not sure why.[/quote]
Agreed, Travis. Emerson is a dead end. If your prediction is correct, Garcia pounds Emerson back to kickbox camp.
So its not the losing competitors against each other then.
guys its matt wiman who i predict will lose thurs just a GREATguess
he actually will be fighting alan berubie. this coming from mr garcia himself as of this morning.