Rafael Alves

Rafael da Silva Alves (born November 14, 1990) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Background Rafael Alves, originally from Icoaraci in greater Belém, started his athletic journey as a disciplined young soccer player with dreams of going professional. He trained with Yago Pikachu and played for Paysandu's Sub-20 team. However, after a bike accident on his way to soccer practice, Rafael decided to focus solely on Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He trained in Muay Thai and jiu-jitsu, eventually moving to the United States to further his MMA career. A businessman in Miami helped him secure a fight, and after an impressive winning streak, he caught the attention of UFC president Dana White. Despite the tragedies of losing his parents; his mother to cancer and his father after he was run over by a car, he remains dedicated to helping his family and friends in Brazil.

Martial arts career

Early career Alves started his MMA career in 2007 he mostly competed at Brazilian and American promotions, amassing and complied with 18-9 record.

Alves received invite to appear at Dana White's Contender Series 30 where he faced Alejandro Flores. Alves defeated Flores via guillotine choke in second round and earned UFC contract in process.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Alves made his UFC debut against Damir Ismagulov on May 22, 2021, at UFC Fight Night:Font vs. Garbrandt. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Alves was scheduled to face Mike Trizano at UFC Fight Night 185, however Trizano suffered ankle injury and was replaced by Pat Sabatini. On February 19 it was announced that Alves missed weight by 11.5 pounds over featherweight non-title fight limit, with the bout eventually being scrapped. Alves blamed the weight miss on eating bad salmon the night before weigh-ins.

Alves faced Marc Diakiese on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night:Holloway vs. Rodriguez. Alves won the fight via guillotine choke in first round.

Alves faced Drew Dober on July 30, 2022, at UFC 277. Alves lost the bout via knockout in third round after Dober punched him to the body with left hook and send him to the canvas.

Alves faced promotion newcomer, Nurullo Aliev at UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen on February 25, 2023. Alves lost the bout via majority decision.

On March 28, 2023, it was revealed that Alves was released from UFC.

Karate Combat After winning his first bout in Karate Combat, Alves faced James Vick at Karate Combat 47 on June 29, 2024 and won by a head kick knockout.

Championships and accomplishments Titan Fighting Championship Titan FC Interim Lightweight Championship (One time) Peak Fighting PF Catchweight Championship (One time) MMA Mania 2024 #5 Ranked Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Anthony Njokuani Submission (inverted hammerlock) Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 10

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Marcos Vinicius Submission (rear-naked choke) Peak Fighting 32

Frisco, Texas, United States Loss

Nurullo Aliev Decision (majority) UFC Fight Night: Muniz vs. Allen

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Drew Dober KO (punch to the body) UFC 277

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Marc Diakiese Submission (guillotine choke) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Damir Ismagulov Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Alejandro Flores Submission (guillotine choke) Dana White's Contender Series 30

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Felipe Douglas KO (punch) Titan FC 54

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Beibit Nazarov Submission (guillotine choke) Titan FC 50

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Guilherme Miranda Decision (unanimous) Titan FC 49

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Rudy Morales Decision (unanimous) Combate 16

Miami, Florida, United States Loss

Jason Fischer TKO (injury) WXC 65: College Throwdown 2

Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States Loss

Vagner Rocha TKO (leg kicks) Fight Time 32

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Win

Yoislandy Izquierdo Submission (rear-naked choke) Fight Time 30

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Loss

Alexandre Pimentel Submission (guillotine choke) Fight Time 27

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Frank Carrillo Decision (split) Fight Time 25

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Samuel Paiva Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 75

Belém, Brazil Win

Carlos Augusto da Silva Decision (unanimous) Coalizão Fight 4

Benevides, Brazil Loss

Bruno Tavares Submission (armbar) Jungle Fight 68

São Paulo, Brazil Win

Breno Moura Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 63

Belém, Brazil Loss

Tiago Trator TKO (retirement) Jungle Fight 45

Belém, Brazil Loss

Jamil Silveira Submission (kimura) Brazilian King Fighter 2

Fortaleza, Brazil Win

Renan Silva Submission (rear-naked choke) Jungle Fight 40

Macapá, Brazil Loss

Neilson Gomes Submission (arm-triangle choke) Jungle Fight 39

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Win

Claudio Araujo Neves KO (front kick) Icoaraci Vale Tudo

Belém, Brazil Loss

Paulo Robinson Submission (guillotine choke) Amazon Fight 15

Belém, Brazil Loss

Reginaldo Ferreira Submission (rear-naked choke) Lenox Fight Competition 3

Belém, Brazil Win

Claudio Ferraz TKO (punches) Zero 2 Fight: Vale Tudo

Belém, Brazil Win

Joelson Guerra Decision (split) Lenox Fight Competition 2

Belém, Brazil Win

Iranildo Conceicao KO (punches) Jacunda Fight

Jacundá, Brazil Win

Arielson Silva TKO (punches) Icoaraci Rematch of the Year

Belém, Brazil Win

Giliarde Cardoso KO (head kick) Goianesia Fight Combat

Goianésia do Pará, Brazil Win

José Vagno Soares KO (punches) Pepeta Fight Night

Tailândia, Brazil Win

Juliano Shanghai Submission Balada Fight

Goianésia do Pará, Brazil Karate Combat record Win

Khama Worthy Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 51

Miami, United States Win

James Vick KO (switch kick) Karate Combat 47

Orlando, Florida, United States Win

Efraín Escudero Decision (unanimous) Karate Combat 44

Mexico City, Mexico