LAS VEGAS – Steve Garcia envisioned a 15-minute fight at UFC Fight Night 213. However, his estimate proved to be nearly 14 minutes too long.
In his drop back down to featherweight, Garcia (13-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) battered Chase Hooper (11-3-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) en route to a 92-second TKO finish.
“I just know how tough he is,” Garcia told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I’ve seen him fight after fight and I’m actually a fan of him. I saw him. He took a lot of shots, took a lot of damage. It doesn’t really phase him. I didn’t expect to go a first-round knockout finish, although I always think I’m going to knock everybody out.