Ryan Garcia defeated Mario Barrios by unanimous decision on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, capturing the WBC welterweight championship. The victory marks Garcia’s first major world title.
Judges scored the bout 119-108, 120-107, and 118-109 in favor of Garcia. The fight was broadcast live and exclusively on DAZN PPV worldwide.
Garcia, 27, dropped Barrios, 30, in the first round with a right hand and maintained control throughout the twelve rounds. He previously held the WBC interim lightweight title in 2021, following a stoppage of Luke Campbell. A highly publicized win over Devin Haney in April 2024 was later overturned to a no-contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance. He subsequently lost a decision to Rolando Romero last May.
Barrios was making his fourth defense of the WBC welterweight title, having won the interim title in September 2023 against Yordenis Ugas and being upgraded to full champion in 2024. His record now stands at 29-3-2 with 18 knockouts. He had previously held the WBA (regular) super lightweight title from 2019 until losing it to Gervonta Davis in 2021.
The undercard featured Gary Antuanne Russell versus Andy Hiraoka, Frank Martin against Nahir Albright, and Bektemir Melikuziev facing Sena Agbeko.
The fight was officially announced on January 12, 2026, with Barrios defending his championship against Garcia.
