Rafa García (fighter)
Mexican mixed martial arts fighter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rafael García Jr.[1] (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.
August 5, 1994
Brawley, California, U.S.
American
| Rafa García | |
|---|---|
| Born | Rafael García Jr.[1] August 5, 1994 Brawley, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Gifted |
| Nationality | Mexican American |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 155 lb (70 kg; 11 st 1 lb) |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Reach | 70.0 in (178 cm)[2] |
| Fighting out of | Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico |
| Team | Team Punisher[3] Yuma United MMA (formerly)[3] UFC GYM Costa Mesa (2017–present)[3] Huntington Beach Ultimate Training Center[3] |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[4] under Philippe "Furão" Della Monica e Carlos Gracie Jr.[5] |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 22 |
| Wins | 18 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 8 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
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.[3][6] He started training martial arts at the age of 13 when his father took him to a gym to learn self-defense.[3][7] He graduated from Imperial High School where he wrestled for one year.[3][6] He lives in Mexicali, Baja California since 2013.
Mixed martial arts career
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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]
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.[11] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[12]
In his sophomore appearance, García faced Chris Gruetzemacher at UFC on ESPN 28 on July 31, 2021. Despite knocking Gruetzemacher down in the first round, García went on to lose the fight via unanimous decision.[13]
García then faced Natan Levy at UFC Fight Night 198 on November 20, 2021.[14] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[15]
García faced Jesse Ronson on April 16, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 34.[16] He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round two.[17]
García faced Drakkar Klose, replacing injured Carlos Diego Ferreira, on July 30, 2022 at UFC 277.[18] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[19]
García faced Hayisaer Maheshate on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216.[20] 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.[21] García won the fight via unanimous decision.[22]
García faced Clay Guida on April 15, 2023 at UFC on ESPN 44.[23] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[24]
García faced Grant Dawson on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244.[25] He lost the fight by technical knockout via ground elbows and punches in the second round.[26]
García was scheduled to face Joaquim Silva on March 29, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 64.[27] However, Silva withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Vinc Pichel.[28] García defeated Pichel via unanimous decision.[29]
García faced Jared Gordon on September 13, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 259.[30] He won the fight by technical knockout via punches and elbows in the third round.[31]
García faced Alexander Hernandez on April 25, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 274.[32] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[33]
Personal life
Championships and accomplishments
- Combate Americas
- Combate Americas Lightweight Championship (one time; first; former)
- One successful title defense
- Combate Americas Lightweight Championship (one time; first; former)
Mixed martial arts record
| 22 matches | 18 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 1 |
| By submission | 8 | 0 |
| By decision | 8 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 18–4 | Alexander Hernandez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal | April 25, 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 17–4 | Jared Gordon | TKO (elbows) | UFC Fight Night: Lopes vs. Silva | September 13, 2025 | 3 | 2:27 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 16–4 | Vinc Pichel | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg | March 29, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 15–4 | Grant Dawson | TKO (elbows and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira | October 12, 2024 | 2 | 1:42 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–3 | Clay Guida | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen | April 15, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 14–3 | Hayisaer Maheshate | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland | December 17, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Catchweight (158.5 lb) bout; Maheshate missed weight. |
| Loss | 13–3 | Drakkar Klose | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 277 | July 30, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Dallas, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 13–2 | Jesse Ronson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2 | April 16, 2022 | 2 | 4:50 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | García was deducted one point in round 2 due to an illegal knee. |
| Win | 12–2 | Natan Levy | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate | November 20, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Chris Gruetzemacher | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland | July 31, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 11–1 | Nasrat Haqparast | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad | March 13, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–0 | Humberto Bandenay | Decision (unanimous) | Combate 55 | February 21, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexicali, Mexico | Defended the Combate Americas Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–0 | Erick Gonzalez | Decision (unanimous) | Combate 44 | September 20, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexicali, Mexico | Won the inaugural Combate Americas Lightweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–0 | Estevan Payan | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Combate 39 | June 7, 2019 | 1 | 4:50 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Edgar Escarrega | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Combate 30 | February 8, 2019 | 2 | 1:07 | Mexicali, Mexico | |
| Win | 7–0 | LaRue Burley | KO (punches) | Combate 24 | September 14, 2018 | 1 | 2:26 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Chase Gibson | Decision (majority) | Combate 20 | April 13, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Los Angeles, California, United States | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 5–0 | Marcos Bonilla | Submission (armbar) | Combate 17 | September 15, 2017 | 2 | 1:07 | Redlands, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Raúl Najera Ocampo | Submission (heel hook) | Combate 10 | January 19, 2017 | 1 | 1:04 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jovany Amador | Submission (armbar) | Warrior Championship Fighting 8 | December 3, 2016 | 1 | 3:21 | Mexicali, Mexico | |
| Win | 2–0 | Mike Sandoval | Submission (armbar) | Warrior Championship Fighting 6 | July 18, 2015 | 1 | 0:24 | Mexicali, Mexico | |
| Win | 1–0 | Dante Ramos | Submission (armbar) | Extreme Full Contact 4 | October 18, 2014 | 1 | 2:06 | Mexicali, Mexico | Featherweight debut. |
