Steve Garcia: 'Stakes are a little higher than usual' at UFC Fight Night 242 vs. Kyle Nelson

LAS VEGAS – Steve Garcia knows a win over Kyle Nelson could catapult him up the featherweight rankings.

Garcia (16-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will look to make it five-straight wins when he meets Nelson (16-5-1 MMA, 4-4-1 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 242 main card at the UFC Apex.

Nelson rides some momentum having won three in a row, but someone’s streak will have to come to an end in this matchup.

“Worthy opponent for sure,” Garcia told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Thursday. “He’s on a three-fight win streak I believe and one of our streaks has to end. Stakes are a little higher than usual. He’s good, durable. He looks strong. I’ll see that on Saturday. He’s definitely a game an opponent, I’m excited to share the cage with him.”

Garcia steps in on relatively short notice to replace Calvin Kattar. He would have preferred a full camp, and would only entertain another quick turnaround for UFC 309, which takes place Nov. 16 in New York.

“My coaches said they don’t want to see me back in the gym for another month after this fight,” Garcia said. “But, I think the only one I would ever consider probably this month is if it’s at Madison Square Garden. I’ve always wanted to fight there, it’s a pretty iconic place. I’d consider a fight there, but I’ll probably wait until next year.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 242.