Taiga Imanaga stunned by resolute Eridson Garcia at The Ring V: Relive full fight highlights

Taiga Imanaga suffered a first professional defeat as he was edged by a tough-spirited Eridson Garcia in a close-fought split-decision clash at The Ring V: Night of the Samurai.

The Japanese star was the only one of his compatriots to suffer defeat in Riyadh, as a bright start slowly faded against an opponent who found plenty of purchase against him.

For Garcia, in the biggest fight of his career so far, it marks a major scalp against a talent widely tipped to push on for success in the lightweight division after domestic glory.

But for Imanaga, it now falls to him to pick up his bootstraps and go again, as he prepares for a busy 2026 that could make or break his prospects at world level.

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