Rafa García (fighter)

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

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. He started training martial arts at the age of 13 when his father took him to a gym to learn self-defense. He graduated from Imperial High School where he wrestled for one year. He lives in Mexicali, Baja California since 2013.

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. 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. 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.

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. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

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.

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

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

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

García faced Hayisaer Maheshate on December 17, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 216. 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. García won the fight via unanimous decision.

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

García is scheduled to face Grant Dawson on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 246.

Personal life
García and his wife have a daughter (born 2019) and a son (born 2021), both born in Mexicali, Mexico.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Combate Americas
 * Combate Americas Lightweight Championship (one time; first; former)
 * One successful title defense