Image Credit: LFA
Fernie Garcia expects to be on Contender Series this summer after LFA 103 win
Fernie Garcia is hoping his next fight will be at the UFC Apex, whether it is a short-notice UFC call or on the Contender Series.
Garcia, a bantamweight prospect out of Fortis MMA, is coming off a decision win over Isaiah Batin-Gonzalez at LFA 103 on Friday night. It was his fourth win in a row and improved his record to 9-1, however, the 28-year-old is disappointed he didn’t get the stoppage win.
“He did hit me with some good shots in the first round, and despite me getting the takedowns I went to my corner thinking I lost the round,” Garcia said to MyMMANews. “Steven (Peterson) told me it was close, but I just went into the second round knowing I had to win the final two rounds or get the finish. I was a bit disappointed I didn’t get the finish, it is frustrating. The guys trained at AKA and he was so durable. I tried to get the finish.”
After the win, Garcia made it known he wants to get on the Contender Series this summer. However, given that doesn’t start up until the summer, the Fortis MMA product says he may take the LFA title fight against Zviad Lazishvili, but hopes a Contender Series shot is next.
“The LFA title is there. If I want the title shot, I can get it. But, since COVID, and the way UFC is signing fighters and who they are putting on the Contender Series, I can get on without the LFA belt,” Garcia said. “But, the plan is to get on the Contender Series. I hope it is a lock that I will be on it, I’m 9-1, four-fight winning streak. But, I will stay within like 10-15 pounds of bantamweight so I can get a short notice call. I would also take a short notice featherweight fight. But, it seems like Contender Series is more likely.”
Regardless of what is next for Fernie Garcia, he knows a shot at a big promotion is just a fight away but hopes to remain active in 2021.
“I’m in a weird spot though because I wanted to fight three or four fights this year. Do I wait for Contender Series or take another LFA fight? I want to stay active but we will see, I’ll talk to Sayif and we can decide what I should do,” Garcia concluded.
