Rafa García Jr.

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. 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 28 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 198 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 faced Grant Dawson on October 12, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 244. He lost the fight by technical knockout via ground elbows and punches in the second round.

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

García faced Jared Gordon on September 13, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 259. He won the fight by technical knockout via punches and elbows in the third round.

García faced Alexander Hernandez on April 25, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 274. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

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

Mixed martial arts record Win

Alexander Hernandez Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jared Gordon TKO (elbows) UFC Fight Night: Lopes vs. Silva

San Antonio, Texas, United States Win

Vinc Pichel Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Moreno vs. Erceg

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Grant Dawson TKO (elbows and punches) UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Taira

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Clay Guida Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Holloway vs. Allen

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Hayisaer Maheshate Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Drakkar Klose Decision (unanimous) UFC 277

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Jesse Ronson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. Muhammad 2

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Natan Levy Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Chris Gruetzemacher Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Hall vs. Strickland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Nasrat Haqparast Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Muhammad

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Humberto Bandenay Decision (unanimous) Combate Americas 55

Mexicali, Mexico Win

Erick Gonzalez Decision (unanimous) Combate Americas 44

Mexicali, Mexico Win

Estevan Payan Submission (rear-naked choke) Combate Americas 39

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Edgar Escarrega Submission (rear-naked choke) Combate Americas 30

Mexicali, Mexico Win

LaRue Burley KO (punches) Combate Americas 24

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Chase Gibson Decision (majority) Combate Americas 20

Los Angeles, California, United States Win

Marcos Bonilla Submission (armbar) Combate Americas 17

Redlands, California, United States Win

Raúl Najera Ocampo Submission (heel hook) Combate Americas 10

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Jovany Amador Submission (armbar) Warrior CF 8

Mexicali, Mexico Win

Mike Sandoval Submission (armbar) Warrior CF 6

Mexicali, Mexico Win

Dante Ramos Submission (armbar) Extreme Full Contact 4

Mexicali, Mexico