Alex Garcia (fighter)

Alex Garcia (born July 14, 1987) is a Dominican mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts career
Garcia made his professional debut in the summer of 2009 against Joel Vales at AFC 1. He won the fight via submission in the first round. Garcia would win his next five fights with finishes in all of them, with all of them but one finishing in the first round. Garcia experienced his first professional defeat at the hands of UFC vet Seth Baczynski by knockout at Ringside MMA 10, the fight was for the Interim Ringside Welterweight title. After the loss Garcia went on to win four more straight fights finishing three of the four wins in the first round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On October 8, 2013, it was announced that Garcia was signed with the UFC and was expected to make his debut in UFC Fight Night 33 against fellow newcomer Andreas Stahl. Stahl had to pull out with an injury. Garcia's new opponent for the event was former TUF Smashes cast member Ben Wall. Garcia won the fight via knockout just 43 seconds into the first round.

Garcia next faced Sean Spencer on March 15, 2014, at UFC 171. He won the back-and-forth fight via split decision.

Garcia was expected to face promotional newcomer Matt Dwyer on August 2, 2014, at UFC 176. However, Dwyer pulled out of the bout citing injury, and was replaced by Neil Magny. Subsequently, after UFC 176 was canceled, Magny/Garcia was rescheduled and eventually took place on August 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 49. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Garcia faced Mike Swick on July 11, 2015, at UFC 189. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Garcia faced Sean Strickland on February 21, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 83. After a back-and-forth first two rounds, he lost the fight via TKO in the third round.

Garcia was expected to face Colby Covington on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89. However, Garcia was pulled from the fight on June 10 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Jonathan Meunier.

Garcia faced Mike Pyle on December 30, 2016, at UFC 207. He won the fight by knockout in the first round. The win also earned Garcia his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Garcia faced Tim Means on June 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 112. He lost by unanimous decision.

Garcia faced Muslim Salikhov on November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 122. He won the fight via submission in the second round.

Gracia faced Ryan LaFlare on April 21, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 128. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Garcia faced Court McGee on October 27, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 138. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

On September 20, 2019, it was reported that Garcia was released from UFC.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (one time) vs. Mike Pyle