'Greatest troll job ever': MMA fighters react to Ryan Garcia's stunning upset of Devin Haney

April 21, 2024 1:19 am ET

After displaying much concerning behavior in the lead-up to the fight, Ryan Garcia turned in the performance of a lifetime Saturday with an upset of Devin Haney in their boxing match.

Garcia scored three knockdowns en route to a majority decision victory over Haney at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., completely flipping the narrative about his career.

The combat sports community was watching the fight closely, and for more reactions, check below.

Derek Brunson

Garcia v Haney . I’m ready for it . I feel a dq coming . Garcia about to walk out of the ring or something wild 😂😂😂 #GarciaHaney

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024

Michael Benson

‼️ Ryan Garcia HURTS Devin Haney in the first minute.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 21, 2024

Mike Coppinger

Big opening round for Ryan Garcia. If anyone needed to establish himself in a fight early, it was Ryan after this build-up. Garcia lands some big shots in Round 1, including a counter left hoo that rocked Haney and forced him to tie up. 10-9, Garcia. #HaneyGarcia

— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) April 21, 2024

Claressa Shields

How the hell Ryan buzz Devin like that first rd!

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) April 21, 2024

Kevin Iole

Haney’s jab i s landing hard now, and he’s not missing with it.

— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) April 21, 2024

Brian Campbell

Very good adjustments from Haney in R2 after being rocked to open the fight. He’s disciplining Garcia away from throwing left hook by using feints to set up clean rights. #HaneyGarcia

— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) April 21, 2024

Andreas Hale

Another strong round for Haney. He’s shaken off the first round and sliding into a groove. 10-9 Haney (29-28 Haney)

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) April 21, 2024

Caposa

What is Garcia’s plan right now. He doesn’t appear to have one. Getting easily backed up by Haney, not throwing back.

— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 21, 2024

Aljamain Sterling

This fight just feels like high-level ghetto. It just feels ratchet 🤣 🤷🏾‍♂️ #HaneyGarcia

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024

Andreas Hale

Garcia unloading on Haney to open the 6th. A lot of punches get through. Haney applying pressure after weathering the storm. Referee getting involved a lot and warns Haney for hitting Garcia’s side when Garcia is turning away.

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) April 21, 2024

Michael Benson

‼️ Ryan Garcia knocks Devin Haney DOWN in round seven.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 21, 2024

Marlon Vera

This ref suck dick.

— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) April 21, 2024

Claressa Shields

I ain’t expect no shit like this!!!

— Claressa Gwoat Shields (@Claressashields) April 21, 2024

Matt Brown

Cocaine is a hell of a drug!

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024

Stephen A. Smith

This referee is absolutely terrible. Ryan Garcia drops Haney. He’s hurt as hell, holding into Garcia for dear life, forcing Garcia to punch in the clinch. The ref pauses action to deduct point — no warning. Utter bullshit. Garcia drops Haney again twice — yet ref calls both a…

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 21, 2024

Aljamain Sterling

NOW we got some action! The point deduction was a bit mehh for me. #HaneyGarcia

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024

Paulo Costa

What crazy nigga fight

— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) April 21, 2024

Jorge Masvidal

Haney with the high crotch

— Jorge Masvidal (@GamebredFighter) April 21, 2024

Andreas Hale

This is baffling. Garcia is looking for the perfect punch and not throwing. Haney going to the body and that wakes Garcia up. Too little, too late though. 10-9 Haney (85-84 Haney)

— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) April 21, 2024

Michael Benson

‼️ Ryan Garcia knocks Devin Haney DOWN again in round ten.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 21, 2024

Derek Brunson

No way Haney can win this . Hes been dropped 3 times . IDGAF what a score card says ! #GarciaHaney

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024

Michael Benson

‼️ Ryan Garcia knocks Devin Haney DOWN for a THIRD TIME in round 11.

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) April 21, 2024

Jake Paul

This is the craziest fight I’ve ever seen

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) April 21, 2024

Matt Brown

Holy shit this has turned in to a crazy fight

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 21, 2024

Aljamain Sterling

Ryan Garcia! This is actually poetic comedy. Is he legit “off”? Or is it all a show? His Skills are different than typical boxers but it works for him. This is a pretty impressive showing against a fundamentally sound Haney. #HaneyGarcia

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024

Matthew Wells

Garcia had the fight of his life and won’t mean a thing since he decided to clown around and miss weight. #HaneyGarcia

— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) April 21, 2024

Jake Paul

Man what an amazing fight and so unexpected I seriously can’t breathe

Both are warriors and savages and never underestimate anyone #HaneyGarcia

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) April 21, 2024

Derek Brunson

Give me Social media Ryan Garcia and Gervonta “TANK” Davis 2 ! If Ryan Garcia isn’t on social media at least 3 times a week saying crazy stuff , cancel the fight ! 😂😂😂 #GarciaHaney

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 21, 2024

Terrance McKinney

Fuck yah boxing got it rt king ry what a performance 🫡

— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) April 21, 2024

Aljamain Sterling

I’m glad Garcia didn’t get a BS draw decision. He clearly was winning those later rounds, plus the KDs. That would’ve been criminal but it’s nice to see the proper decisions get made

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 21, 2024

Cub Swanson

Ryan Garcia is a Superstar now 😳🔥

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) April 21, 2024

Gervonte Davis

Forget Devin.. WHERE BILL AT WHERE DIRT AT!!!!!!!!!

— Gervonta Davis (@Gervontaa) April 21, 2024

Marlon Vera

Fighting narrative is crazy 5 hours ago
Ryan is crazy Ryan isn’t in shape Ryan on drugs Ryan a troll, he won I only see wow what a performance! Lol. Fighting is so mental. Don’t believe all u see. Was great fight. At the end all is an opinion. Have one.

— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) April 21, 2024