Steve Garcia: A Knockout Machine in UFC Highlights

Steve Garcia's Knockout Highlights Against Kyle Nelson

Steve Garcia vs. Kyle Nelson squared off earlier tonight (Sat., Sept. 7, 2024) at UFC Vegas 97 LIVE on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Though Nelson started the fight well, Garcia scored a first-round knockout after a savage series of elbows. As mentioned, Nelson started strong, catching a low kick and converting that strike into a takedown. Just 30 seconds in, he was on Garcia’s back with both hooks in! He wasn’t able to do too much from that dominant position, however, controlling without landing damaging shots or threatening the neck too effectively.

Garcia's Dominance Shines Through

About halfway through the first round, Garcia reversed position into full guard. Immediately, he began dropping a barrage of ground strikes. One elbow hurt Nelson, and Garcia simply refused to let him recover. The beating continued for a while, but when a second elbow stunned Nelson and sent him to his belly, the referee was forced to intervene. Check out the final moments below:

Garcia's Impressive Run

After this latest win, Garcia has claimed five victories in a row at 145-pounds, all via knockout. At 32 years of age, “Mean Machine” is emerging as a surprise contender at Featherweight after a rough start to his UFC career. He deserves a step up in competition, though it remains to be seen if he can create similar success against ranked opposition. For complete UFC Vegas 97 results, coverage, and highlights, visit the official site.