Ilia Topuria and Ryan Garcia trade shots over fantasy boxing match: “Stay in your lane”

Ilia Topuria and Ryan Garcia have found themselves in a war of words on social media.

Topuria, who is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, hasn’t been shy about wanting to dip his toes in the boxing waters. Garcia is the current WBC welterweight titleholder, and he has traded verbal jabs with the likes of Sean O’Malley. “KingRy” insists that pro MMA fighters need to stick to their craft instead of trying to box with elite practitioners of the sweet science.

“El Matador” is the latest MMA star looking for a crossover fight with Garcia. Recently, Topuria told Álvaro Colmenero that he would “break” Garcia in a boxing match. “KingRy” delivered a stern warning to Topuria on his X account.

“You are a damn good striker for MMA that’s it. You wouldn’t be sipping on tea after our fight you would be eating thru a straw after our fight. Stay in your lane. I’ll gladly stay in mine.”

Never one to hold his tongue, Topuria fired back at Garcia. He even claimed he’d defeat Garcia’s scheduled opponent for Sept. 12, Conor Benn.

“YOU BUILT YOUR NAME
ON HYPE. I BUILT MINE
BY PUTTING LEGENDS TO SLEEP. I WOULD GIVE YOU
A BOXING LESSON. WE ARE NOT
ON THE SAME LEVEL. BRING THE GUY
YOU FIGHT IN SEPTEMBER. I WOULD BEAT
BOTH OF YOU
IN THE SAME RING.”

Garcia responded by saying he’s already knocked out far better opposition than Topuria.

“I built my name sleeping guys that are way better boxers then you will ever be. You’ve seen many mma fighters try and you’ll just be another UFC hype job cashing out by getting knocked out by a boxer.”

Finally, “El Matador” took a jab at Garcia’s failed drug test back in 2024, which revoked his initial majority decision win over Devin Haney.

“The biggest win of your career came with steroids. So that’s where your confidence comes from? Interesting.”

Any chance the UFC brass allows Ilia Topuria to box Ryan Garcia, or will these two never mix it up inside the boxing ring? Drop a comment below.