Headed To UFC?!? Garcia Agrees To One-Year Drug Suspension

Ryan Garcia is officially sidelined.

The Garcia boxing saga concluded in seemingly the most ridiculous way possible when he scored a big upset majority decision win over Devin Haney in April 2024 (watch highlights). That was until Garcia’s win was overturned to a no contest due to his failed pre and post-match drug tests.

Garcia, 25, vehemently denied his usage of any banned substances, making several jokes about it in the process. However, he has now agreed to a suspension and the following ramifications, according to Dan Rafael.

“Ryan Garcia/legal team have made settlement agreement with NYSAC,” Rafael tweeted. “He has agreed to the following: suspension of at least 1 year; forfeiture of his $1.1M official contract purse (goes to GB, Haney may get %), $10k fine (state max); fight officially a no contest.”

In typical Garcia fashion, he reacted to the news on Twitter with a series of tweets.

Per a press release, Garcia’s team provided the following statement.

“Ryan Garcia was a victim of substance contamination, with levels measured in the billions and trillions of a gram, which provided no advantage whatsoever in the ring.

“Ryan, with his legal team, has resolved this issue and firmly maintains his truth: he never intentionally took any banned substance. It’s simply not in his nature.

“For many years, Ryan has voluntarily submitted to random testing, even during out-of-competition periods, and has never had any issues. He has maintained an impeccable and clean record throughout his career, significantly elevating and transcending the sport of boxing, earning respect and admiration from millions of fans worldwide.

“The fans will always remember his performance against Haney as a masterclass, and that will never be erased.

“Ryan will continue to elevate the sport and will be actively involved in advocating for reform. We hope future changes in our system will address issues like this one.

“We want to thank all of the fans who have continued to support Ryan, not only during the great moments but also through the difficult times that life brings. He will be back in the ring soon and better than ever!”

With Garcia’s latest win no longer a win, his eighth round knockout of Oscar Duarte becomes the last official time his hand was raised in December 2023. Directly before the fight, Garcia suffered his first and only career loss in 26 matches when Gervonta Davis defeated him via seventh round knockout (watch highlights).