Ryan Garcia vs. Mario Barrios squared off in a Welterweight bout earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 21, 2026) with the WBC title on the line inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In an outstanding performance, Garcia picked apart and battered his foe to become a world champion.
Garcia started this fight absolutely on fire. He stuck Barrios with a heavy 1-2 early, and then a second right immediately floored Barrios! Barrios recovered his footing and seemed alright, trying to get back on front foot with his jab. Garcia took his right hand to the body to good effect then put together a four-punch combination. This was the “King Ryan” people were looking for against Rolly Romero!
Garcia stayed hot into the second. His speed was really on display, as he would suddenly time Barrios with a big left hook or uppercut connection. Barrios did find a bit of success with body work, but he was still a step behind the younger man. As the fight wore on in rounds three and four, Garcia’s power shots rarely missed. Even when Barrios blocked them, he would end up moved significantly by Garcia’s surprisingly active right hand.
Early in the fifth, Garcia nearly finished Barrios with an extended series of clubbing blows. Barrios proved his toughness but little else as the rounds wore on. He continued to press but didn’t throw nearly as much as Garcia, whose power and variety continued to fluster Barrios. Barrios’ only hope was a sudden knockout connection or a complete gas tank failure, but Garcia continued to move and box well late into the fight. Even in the final rounds, Barrios didn’t build any momentum, as he was too shell-shocked by Garcia’s speed and power.
Check out the highlights below:
Officially, only one of the judges gave him every single round, but all three scorecards were very, very wide. Garcia continues to be a mercurial fighter who occasionally catches lightning in a bottle, and he was definitely at his peak in this matchup. If Garcia can fight this way consistently, there are countless amazing matchups to be made.
Final Result: Ryan Garcia defeats Mario Barrios via unanimous decision
