Steve Garcia won’t have longtime coach Greg Jackson in his corner for UFC Freedom 250.
Garcia (19-5 MMA, 8-2 UFC) gets his biggest opportunity to date in former two-time UFC featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes (27-8 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on June 14 in Washington, D.C. (Paramount+).
Advertisement
Jackson, co-founder of Albuquerque’s mainstay Jackson-Wink MMA Academy, told The Albuquerque Journal that he won’t be present for either Garcia or Josh Hokit’s fights at the White House due to personal reasons.
“Always love having Greg in my corner,” Garcia told MMA Junkie. “Greg has been in my corner for the last several years, especially in the UFC, along with prior to that. But I’ve also fought without him in my corner for many years, too. So, it’s not like it’s unusual. But he’s been very active in this training camp. We meet every single day and have multiple privates all the time in preparation for this fight. Yeah, we’ll be prepared.”
Not only will Garcia be making the first walk ever out of the White House, he will attempt to take Lopes’ No. 2 spot in the UFC featherweight rankings, which would be a major leap into title contention.
“As far as getting the opportunity, absolutely,” Garcia said. “The opportunity at hand is something that could definitely elevate me, and I get the opportunity to rise to this challenge and to do it on the White House is something special. So, I’m excited about that part.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Steve Garcia won’t have famed coach in corner at UFC White House
