Ryan Garcia returned to the ring on Friday in the “Fatal Fury: City of Wolves main event against former junior welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero with the regular WBA welterweight title on the line.
Garcia last fought in April, initially defeating Devin Haney, but the fight was later ruled a no contest after Garcia tested positive to the banned substance Ostarine. Done with his one-year suspension, Garcia looked rebound from the controversy and improve upon his 24-1 record.
Romero, entered the fight with a 16-2 record, including 13 victories by knockout. In 2024, Romero fought twice. He bounced back from a TKO loss to Isaac Cruz in March with a unanimous decision over Manuel Jaimes in September.
Garcia established his jab in the opening round while Romero worked the body late in the frame. Garcia used his reach on the shorter Romero. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Garcia.
Romero knocked Garcia down early in the second frame. Garcia got to his feet and connected with a hard left hand. Romero responded with a right hand as the action picked up. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-8 for Romero.
Romero continued to invest in targeting Garcia’s body. Garcia’s jab dictated the pace. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Garcia.
The pace slowed in the fourth. Garcia missed with a combination but his jab landed repeatedly. Romero landed to the body with a left and Garcia landed with a stiff jab late. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Garcia.
Garcia connected with a combination early. Romero responded with a double jab. Garcia seemed hesitant. Neither did a lot in the fifth. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Garcia.
Garcia landed a left at the start of the sixth. Romero continued to land to the body. Romero landed his jab late in the round and pressed forward. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 Romero.
Garcia’s pacer appears to have slowed. Romero lands his jab. Garcia responded with a right hand. Romero landed to the body a could of times at the end of the round. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Romero.
Romero landed to the body. He drove forward pushed Garcia back with body shots. Garcia went back to utilizing his jab. The pace of the round was slow. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Garcia.
They exchanged jabs to start the ninth. Romero had a higher output. Romero landed a right hook. Garcia responded with a jab. Romero ended the round landing to the body. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Romero.
Romero landed a jab and went to the body. Garcia moved on the outside and Romero delivered a hard body shot. Garcia offered little and did not have a sense of urgency. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Romero.
Garcia opened the 11th with his jab. Romero continued to land to the body. He repeatedly landed to the body. Garcia simply did not have a good showing.
Romero went back to his jab in the final frame. He landed to the body. Romero walked Garcia down and continued to land to the body. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Romero.
The judges scorecards read 115-112, 115-112, and 118-109 for Romero.
