If the UFC featherweight division is seeking a fresh contender, veteran Steve Garcia has made his case known.

Garcia secured his seventh straight victory, including six by stoppage, with a stunning first-round TKO of David Onama in their matchup featuring two top-15 ranked fighters at 145 pounds on Saturday night, held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Garcia (19-5), hailing from Albuquerque, New Mexico, capitalized on his first headlining opportunity by aggressively pressuring Onama (14-3) early on with a barrage of punches and combination attacks.

“Again, I said this before, my dad [trainer Steve Garcia Sr.] told me to be violent in here, so that’s what he got,” Garcia remarked. “My dad asked me, so I tried to deliver.”

Garcia quickly knocked down Onama with a solid left and maintained consistent pressure as his opponent struggled to recover. After delivering several uppercuts, Garcia landed a third knockdown with precise punches, leading to a stoppage by referee Herb Dean at 3:34 of Round 1.

“In here, this is kill or be killed. That’s, at least, how I do it,” Garcia stated. “I make sure I finish my opponents if it presents itself.”

Garcia’s current win streak comes after losing two of his first three UFC matches, showcasing his emerging dominance in the division.

After the fight, he made a bold call aimed at former champion Max Holloway, expressing his desire for a fight for the BMF title.

“I want the Rocky Balboa story and I want Max Holloway for the BMF title,” Garcia declared.