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Rafa García (fighter)

Mexican mixed martial arts fighter From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Rafael García Jr. (born August 5, 1994) is a Mexican and American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional since 2014, García is also a former Combate Americas Lightweight Champion.

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Background

García was born in Brawley, California to Mexican parents and grew up in El Centro, California, and has a sister and a younger brother.[2][4] He started training martial arts at the age of 13 when his father took him to a gym to learn self-defense.[2][5] He graduated from Imperial High School where he wrestled for one year.[2][4] He lives in Mexicali, Baja California since 2013.

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

Racking up a 4–0 record in Mexico, García participated in the inaugural Combate Americas open tryouts and receiving a contract after winning the tryouts.[6] In Combate Americas García went undefeated 8–0 and claiming the Combate Americas Lightweight Championship against Erick Gonzalez at Combate 44 on September 20, 2019.[7] He successfully defended the title against Humberto Bandenay at Combate 55 on February 21, 2020. On June 13, 2020, García announced that he had vacated the title.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On March 10, 2021, it was announced that García would be replacing Don Madge against Nasrat Haqparast at UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad on March 13, 2021.[9] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[10]

In his sophomore appearance, García faced Chris Gruetzemacher at UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland on July 31, 2021. Despite knocking Gruetzemacher down in the first round, García went on to lose the fight via unanimous decision.[11]

García then faced Natan Levy at UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate on November 20, 2021.[12] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[13]

García faced Jesse Ronson on April 16, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 34.[14] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.[15]

García faced Drakkar Klose, replacing injured Carlos Diego Ferreira, on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

García faced Hayisaer Maheshate on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216.[18] At the weigh-ins, Hayisaer Maheshate weighed in at 158.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the lightweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Maheshate was fined 20% of his purse, which went to García.[19] García won the fight via unanimous decision.[20]

García faced Clay Guida on April 15, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44.[21] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[22]

García faced Grant Dawson on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244.[23] He lost the fight by technical knockout via ground elbows and punches in the second round.[24]

García was scheduled to face Joaquim Silva on March 29, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 64.[25] However, Silva withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Vinc Pichel.[26] García defeated Pichel via unanimous decision.[27]

García is scheduled to face Jared Gordon on September 13, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 259.[28]

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Personal life

García and his wife have a daughter (born 2019) and a son (born 2021), both born in Mexicali, Mexico.[2][29]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
20 matches 16 wins 4 losses
By knockout 1 1
By submission 8 0
By decision 7 3
More information Res., Record ...

[30]

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See also

References

External links

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