Ryan Garcia to Snub NYSAC for RIZIN Exhibition? 3 Potential Opponents for ‘King Ry’

Ryan Garcia is banned from competing until April of next year. But apparently, that minor detail won’t prevent him from stepping in the ring on New Year’s Eve.

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According to multiple reports, the disgraced California native will be in Japan for an exhibition match on Rizin’s annual year end card. Boxing media personality Julius Julianis stated that Golden Boy Promotions has given Ryan Garcia permission to take part in the event.

If Ryan Garcia does indeed lace up the gloves that evening, it will be in direct violation of the year-long suspension that the New York State Athletic Commission handed him after multiple positive tests for ostarine in his majority decision win over Devin Haney . The result has since been changed to a no contest.

Athletic commission suspensions are typically honored in other jurisdictions, including overseas, so it’s unclear what, if any, compromises have been made or what any potential response from the NYSAC will be. A request for a statement from the governing body has not been answered at this point.

The PED punishment is just a part of the controversy that has followed “King Ryan” recently. Starting with the promotional buildup of his April 20 bout with Haney, Garcia has shown an increasingly disturbing pattern of behavior.

In addition to stalking and harassment allegations from his ex-wife , Garcia was arrested last month for trashing a hotel room in Beverly Hills, CA. On July 4, a racist and Islamophobic online rant prompted the WBC to expel him from any of its sanctioned events.

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Shortly afterwards, the troubled pugilist pledged to go to rehab to address mental health and substance abuse issues. However, he appeared for his young brother Sean Garcia’s walkout against Amado Vargas the next day and has yet to honor that commitment.

While RIZIN is considered a mixed martial arts promotion, the organization is dabbled in other combat sports as well. In 2018, it hosted Floyd Mayweather Jr in an exhibition boxing match against champion kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa. He returned in 2022 versus Mikuru Asakura.

It’s unclear whether Garcia will compete in boxing, MMA, or even pro-wrestling. It’s important to note that NYSAC regulates all three within state borders.

On July 28, Manny Pacquaio will face Rukiya Anpo at Super RIZIN 3. Garcia is rumored to be in attendance, adding more fuel to the fire of speculation.

Here are three opponents that could be standing across from Garcia at Saitama Super Arena.

Ryan Garcia vs. Manny Pacquiao

With a business relationship already established between the Japanese promotion and the former eight division champion, this is a fight that could be far easier to make than most would assume. It would also be great business for RIZIN if the costs of getting the two stars together was within their means.

If reports of Pacquiao angling to reenter the title picture are true, an exhibition against one of the current stars of the sport can go a long way.

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Ryan Garcia vs. AJ McKee

While Bellator star AJ McKee waits for his next booking, an exhibition against Ryan Garcia doesn’t sound like a bad idea. With some sort of hybrid ruleset, it could be an entertaining spectacle featuring two of combat sports’ more captivating personalities.

If the PFL continues the talent share partnership established by Scott Coker, this is another one that may not be difficult to book.

Ryan Garcia vs. Noah Bey

If RIZIN elects to keep things as in-house as possible, Noah Bey would be a good choice to face Garcia. Even with a 3-3 record in MMA, his kickboxing background means his striking skills might make for an interesting pairing. A contest under boxing rules would obviously favor Garcia, but modified kickboxing could be a suitable compromise.

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