Julio Arce

Mixed martial arts career Early career Arce started his professional MMA career in 2012 and fought most of his fights in Ring of Combat promotion and he was the bantamweight and featherweight champion. He amassed a record of 8–1 before signed by UFC.

Dana White's Contender Series Arce appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 5 web series program. He faced Peter Petties and won the fight via technical knockout. Even with the win, Arce was not awarded a UFC contract at that event. However, he was later signed by the UFC on short notice to replace an injured Charles Rosa at UFC 220. He won the fight via unanimous decision with the scoreboard of (30-27, 30–27, 29–28).

His next fight came on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131 against Daniel Teymur. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the third round.

Arce faced Sheymon Moraes on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230. He lost the fight via split decision.

Arce faced Julian Erosa on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 152. He won the fight via knockout in the third round.

Arce faced Hakeem Dawodu on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244. He lost the fight by a split decision.

Arce was expected to face Timur Valiev on a bantamweight bout on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184. However, Arce was removed from the event in late January due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Martin Day.

Arce faced Andre Ewell on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw. He won in the second round via technical knockout.

Arce faced Song Yadong on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.

As the first fight of his new four-fight contract, Arce faced Daniel Santos on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273. He won the bout via unanimous decision.

Arce faced Montel Jackson on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Arce was scheduled to face Cody Garbrandt on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285. However, Arce withdrew in late January due to a knee injury and was replaced by Trevin Jones.

Arce faced Herbert Burns on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. At the weigh ins, Arce weighed in at 147.25 pounds, one and a quarter pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse which went to his opponent Burns. Arce won the fight via technical knockout in round two.

Global Fight League On January 24, 2025, it was announced that Arce had parted ways with the UFC and signed with the Global Fight League. However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.

Professional Fighters League After winning two fight in the independent promotion, Arce made his PFL debut against Alexei Pergande on March 28, 2026, at PFL Pittsburgh. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Arce faced Caolán Loughran on July 18, 2026, at PFL Austin. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Mixed martial arts Ultimate Fighting Championship Highest takedown defense percentage in UFC history (96.2%) Ring of Combat Ring of Combat Bantamweight Champion (one time; former)

Personal life Arce is a head instructor at the Tiger Schulmann’s Bayside location in Queens, NY.

Mixed martial arts record Win

Caolán Loughran Decision (unanimous) PFL Austin: Eblen vs. Kasanganay 2

Austin, Texas, United States Loss

Alexei Pergande Decision (unanimous) PFL Pittsburgh: Eblen vs. Battle

Moon Township, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Wilson Reis KO (punch) Victory Fighting League: Clash of the Champions

New York City, New York, United States Win

Sheymon Moraes Decision (unanimous) Victory Fighting League: Battle of the Burroughs

New York City, New York, United States Win

Herbert Burns TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Montel Jackson Decision (unanimous) UFC 281

New York City, New York, United States Win

Daniel Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC 273

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Loss

Song Yadong TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Andre Ewell TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Hakeem Dawodu Decision (split) UFC 244

New York City, New York, United States Win

Julian Erosa KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee

Rochester, New York, United States Loss

Sheymon Moraes Decision (split) UFC 230

New York City, New York, United States Win

Daniel Teymur Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes

Utica, New York, United States Win

Dan Ige Decision (unanimous) UFC 220

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win

Peter Petties TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 5

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Tim Dooling Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 59

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Frank Buenafuente Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 58

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Frank Buenafuente Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 57

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Francisco Isata Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury FC 60

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Brian Kelleher Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Combat 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Brian Kelleher Decision (majority) Ring of Combat 52

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Michael Imperato Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 51

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Thomas Vasquez TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 50

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jake Grigson Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 49

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jason McLean Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 47

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Corey Simmons Submission (rear-naked hoke) Ring of Combat 46

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Dennis Dombrow Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 45

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Umaer Haq Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Caged Combat: Backlash

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Win

Kenneth Nagle KO (punches) Matrix Fights 6

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States