View source for Alex Garcia (fighter)

{{Short description|Dominican Republic mixed martial artist}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name            = Alex Garcia
| image           =
| image_size      =
| other_names     = The Dominican Nightmare
| birth_name      = Lenin Billy Garcia Ciriaco<ref>[http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2016_Results/12-30-16MMA.pdf Mixed martial arts show results] boxing.nv.gov</ref>
| birth_date      = {{birth date and age|1987|07|14}}
| birth_place     = [[Santiago de los Caballeros|Santiago]], [[Dominican Republic]]
| death_date      =
| death_place     =
| death_cause     =
| residence       =
| nationality     =
| height          = {{height|ft=5|in=9}}<ref name=UFC189stats>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC189/printFightCard|title=Fight Card - UFC 189 Mendes vs. McGregor|publisher=UFC.com|accessdate=July 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720202123/http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC189/printFightCard|archive-date=July 20, 2015|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| weight_lb       = 171
| weight_class    = [[Welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight]]
| reach           = 72 in<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ufc.com/event/ufc-fight-night-bok-center-tulsa/printFightCard|title=Fight Card - UFC Fight Night Henderson vs. Dos Anjos|publisher=UFC.com|accessdate=August 24, 2014}}</ref>
| style           = [[Kickboxing]], [[Submission Wrestling]]
| stance          =
| fighting_out_of = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| team            = [[Tristar Gym]]
| years_active    = 2009-present
| mma_kowin       = 6
| mma_subwin      = 6
| mma_decwin      = 3
| mma_koloss      = 4
| mma_subloss     =
| mma_decloss     = 4
| mma_draw        =
| mma_nc          =
| am_win          =
| am_kowin        =
| am_subwin       =
| am_loss         =
| am_koloss       =
| am_subloss      =
| am_draw         =
| am_nc           =
| url             =
| sherdog         = 54124
| relatives       =
| footnotes       =
| updated         =
}}
'''Alex Garcia''' (born July 14, 1987) is a Dominican [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]] who formerly competed in the [[Welterweight (MMA)|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 [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|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.{{cn|date=October 2022}}
=== Ultimate Fighting Championship ===
On October 8, 2013, it was announced that Garcia was signed with the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] and was expected to make his debut [[UFC Fight Night 33|in UFC Fight Night 33]] against fellow newcomer Andreas Stahl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Octagon-Debutants-Andreas-Stahl-Alex-Garcia-Targeted-for-UFC-Fight-Night-33-Clash-57381|title=Octagon Debutants Andreas Stahl, Alex Garcia Targeted for UFC Fight Night 33 Clash|work=Sherdog}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://topmmanews.com/2013/10/08/tristars-alex-garcia-signs-with-ufc/|title=Tristar's Alex Garcia Signs with UFC - Top MMA News at topmmanews.com|work=topmmanews.com}}</ref> Stahl had to pull out with an injury.  Garcia's new opponent for the event was former TUF Smashes cast member Ben Wall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://topmmanews.com/2013/11/26/garcia-gets-new-opponent-for-ufc-fight-night-33/|title=Garcia Gets New Opponent For UFC Fight Night 33|work=topmmanews.com}}</ref> Garcia won the fight via knockout just 43 seconds into the first round.
Garcia next faced [[Sean Spencer (fighter)|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 (fighter)|Matt Dwyer]] on August 2, 2014, at [[UFC 176]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://themmareport.com/2014/06/alex-garcia-vs-matt-dwyer-confirmed-for-ufc-176/|title=Alex Garcia vs. Matt Dwyer confirmed for UFC 176|publisher=themmareport.com|author=Jason Floyd|date=2014-06-30|accessdate=2014-06-30}}</ref>  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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2014/07/neil-magny-replaces-matt-dwyer-meets-alex-garcia-at-ufc-fight-night-49|title=Neil Magny replaces Matt Dwyer, meets Alex Garcia at UFC Fight Night 49|publisher=MMAJunkie.com|date=2014-07-09|accessdate=2014-07-09|author=Staff}}</ref> He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
Garcia faced [[Mike Swick]] on July 11, 2015, at [[UFC 189]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Mike-Swick-Returns-From-Extended-Absence-Meets-Alex-Garcia-at-UFC-189-84419|title=Mike Swick returns from extended absence, meets Alex Garcia at UFC 189|publisher=sherdog.com|author=Tristen Critchfield|date=2015-04-07|accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref> He won the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/07/ufc-189-results-alex-garcia-frustrates-mike-swick-for-unanimous-nod|title=UFC 189 results: Alex Garcia frustrates Mike Swick for unanimous nod|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2015-07-11|accessdate=2015-07-11}}</ref>
Garcia faced [[Sean Strickland]] on February 21, 2016, at [[UFC Fight Night 83]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2015/12/seven-fights-added-to-ufc-fight-night-82-in-pittsburgh-still-no-headliner|title=Seven fights added to UFC Fight Night 82 in Pittsburgh|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|date=2015-12-15|accessdate=2015-12-15}}</ref> After a back-and-forth first two rounds, he lost the fight via TKO in the third round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2016/2/21/11086082/tko-sean-strickland-swarms-on-alex-garcia-late-to-get-stoppage-at-ufc|title=UFC Fight Night 83 results: TKO! Sean Strickland swarms on Alex Garcia late to get stoppage at UFC Pittsburgh|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Adrian McNair|date=2016-02-21|accessdate=2016-02-21}}</ref>
Garcia was expected to face [[Colby Covington]] on June 18, 2016, at [[UFC Fight Night 89]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://themmareport.com/2016/03/elias-theodorou-vs-sam-alvey-among-multiple-fight-bookings-made-official-for-ufc-fight-night-89/|title=Multiple fight bookings made official for UFC Fight Night 89|publisher=themmareport.com|author=Staff|date=2016-03-29|accessdate=2016-03-29}}</ref> However, Garcia was pulled from the fight on June 10 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by promotional newcomer Jonathan Meunier.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2016/6/9/11898694/prospect-jonathan-meunier-to-replace-alex-garcia-vs-colby-covington|title=Prospect Jonathan Meunier to replace Alex Garcia vs. Colby Covington at UFC Ottawa|publisher=mmafighting.com|author=Marc Raimondi|date=2016-06-10|accessdate=2016-06-10}}</ref>
Garcia faced [[Mike Pyle (fighter)|Mike Pyle]] on December 30, 2016, at [[UFC 207]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/mma-ufc/2-fights-added-december-ufc-cards-las-vegas|title=2 fights added to December UFC cards in Las Vegas|publisher=reviewjournal.com|author=Adam Hill|date=2016-10-12|accessdate=2016-10-12}}</ref> He won the fight by knockout in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-207-results-alex-garcia-gives-mike-pyle-worst-belated-christmas-gift-ever-with-1-punch-ko|title=UFC 207 results: Alex Garcia gives Mike Pyle worst belated Christmas gift ever with 1-punch KO|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Steven Marrocco|date=2016-12-30|accessdate=2016-12-30}}</ref> The win also earned Garcia his first ''Performance of the Night'' bonus award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2016/12/ufc-207-bonuses-amanda-nunes-and-alex-garcia-pick-up-50000-for-their-brutal-knockouts/|title=UFC 207 bonuses: Amanda Nunes and Alex Garcia pick up $50,000 for their brutal knockouts|publisher=mmajunkie.com|author=Staff|accessdate=2016-12-31|date=2016-12-31}}</ref>
Garcia faced [[Tim Means]] on June 25, 2017, at [[UFC Fight Night 112]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thescore.com/mma/news/1294657-means-draws-alex-garcia-at-ufc-oklahoma-city|title=Tm Means draws Alex Garcia at UFC Oklahoma City|author=Themistoklis Alexis|publisher=thescore.com|date=2017-05-15|accessdate=2017-05-15}}</ref> He lost by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bjpenn.com/mma-news/ufc-fight-night-112-results-tim-means-picks-decision-win-alex-garcia-highlights/|title=UFC Fight Night 112 results: Tim Means picks up decision win over Alex Garcia (highlights) {{!}} BJPenn.com|date=2017-06-25|work={{!}} BJPenn.com|access-date=2017-06-26|language=en-US}}</ref>
Garcia faced [[Muslim Salikhov]] on November 25, 2017, at [[UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Gastelum|UFC Fight Night 122]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/forum/bouts/333647-ufc-fight-night-122-muslim-king-of-kung-fu-salikhov-vs-alex-the-dominican-nightmare-garcia/765339-Official_Discussion_Thread_for_Muslim_salikhov_vs_|title=Tapology &#124; MMA & Combat Sports}}</ref> He won the fight via submission in the second round.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2017/11/alex-garcia-after-ufc-shanghai-victory-whos-getting-the-attention-now|title=Alex Garcia after UFC-Shanghai victory: Who's getting the attention now?|date=2017-11-25|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2017-11-26|language=en-US}}</ref>
Gracia faced [[Ryan LaFlare]] on April 21, 2018, at [[UFC Fight Night 128]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/ryan-laflare-returns-at-ufc-atlantic-city-to-face-alex-garcia-1.16999686|title=LI's LaFlare returns at UFC Atlantic City|work=Newsday|access-date=2018-03-01|language=en}}</ref> He lost the fight via unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2018/04/ufc-fight-night-128-results-ryan-laflare-outworks-alex-garcia-for-decision-atlantic-city|title=UFC Fight Night 128 results: Ryan LaFlare outworks Alex Garcia for decision|date=2018-04-22|work=MMAjunkie|access-date=2018-04-22|language=en-US}}</ref>
Garcia faced [[Court McGee]] on October 27, 2018, at [[UFC Fight Night 138]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mmadna.nl/welterweights-alex-garcia-en-court-mcgee-strijden-tijdens-ufc-moncton/|title=Welterweights Alex Garcia and Court McGee compete during UFC Moncton|publisher=mmadna.nl|author=Marcel Dorff|date=2018-09-07|accessdate=2018-09-07|language=nl}}</ref> He lost the fight by unanimous decision.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/10/27/18033514/ufc-moncton-results-court-mcgee-grinds-out-win-over-alex-garcia|title=UFC Moncton results: Court McGee grinds out win over Alex Garcia|work=MMA Fighting|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref>
On September 20, 2019, it was reported that Garcia was released from UFC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/1/29/3928296/ufc-roster-current-list-fighters|title=List of current UFC fighters|last=Simon|first=Zane|date=2013-01-29|website=Bloody Elbow|access-date=2019-09-20}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments==
*'''[[Ultimate Fighting Championship]]'''
**Performance of the Night (one time) <small>vs. [[Mike Pyle (fighter)|Mike Pyle]]</small>
==Mixed martial arts record==
{{MMArecordbox
|ko-wins=6
|ko-losses=4
|sub-wins=6
|sub-losses=0
|dec-wins=3
|dec-losses=4
|nc=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–8
|Abdul Rahman Dzhanaev
|TKO (punches)
|[[2020 in Absolute Championship Akhmat#ACA 105: Shakhbulatov vs. Oliveira|ACA 105: Shakhublatov vs. Oliveira]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2020|March|6}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|0:44
|[[Almaty]], Kazakhstan
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–7
|Ibragim Chuzhigaev
|TKO (punches)
|[[2019 in Absolute Championship Akhmat#ACA 99: Bagov vs. Khaliev|ACA 99: Bagov vs. Khaliev]]
|{{dts|format=dmy|2019|September|27}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:52
|[[Moscow]], Russia
|{{small|Middleweight debut.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–6
|[[Court McGee]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Volkan vs. Smith]]
|{{dts|2018|October|27}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Moncton, New Brunswick]], Canada
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|15–5
|[[Ryan LaFlare]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Lee]]
|{{dts|2018|April|21}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Atlantic City, New Jersey]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|15–4
|[[Muslim Salikhov]]
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Gastelum]]
|{{dts|2017|November|25}}
|align=center|2
|align=center|3:22
|[[Shanghai]], China
|
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|14–4
|[[Tim Means]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee]]
|{{dts|2017|June|25}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|14–3
|[[Mike Pyle (fighter)|Mike Pyle]]
|KO (punch)
|[[UFC 207]]
|{{dts|2016|December|30}}
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:34
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|{{small|Performance of the Night.}}
|-
|{{no2}}Loss
|align=center|13–3
|[[Sean Strickland]]
|KO (punches)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy]]
|{{dts|2016|February|21}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|4:25
|[[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], United States
|
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|align=center|13–2
|[[Mike Swick]]
|Decision (unanimous)
|[[UFC 189]]
|{{dts|2015|July|11}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 12–2
|[[Neil Magny]]
| Decision (unanimous)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos]]
|{{dts|2014|August|23}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 12–1
|[[Sean Spencer (fighter)|Sean Spencer]]
| Decision (split)
|[[UFC 171]]
|{{dts|2014|March|15}}
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[Dallas, Texas]], United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 11–1
|Ben Wall
| KO (punches)
|[[UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Bigfoot]]
|December 7, 2013
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:43
|[[Brisbane]], Australia
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 10–1
|Chris Heatherly
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Challenge MMA 2: Think Big
|August 17, 2013
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:42
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 9–1
|Ryan Dickson
| Decision (unanimous)
|Challenge MMA 1: Sensations
|May 11, 2013
|align=center|3
|align=center|5:00
|[[St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 8–1
|Stephane Lamarche
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Slamm 1: Garcia vs. Lamarche
|November 30, 2012
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:58
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 7–1
|Matt MacGrath
| KO (punches)
|Ringside MMA 12: Daley vs. Fioravanti
|October 21, 2011
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:34
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
|align=center| 6–1
|[[Seth Baczynski]]
| KO (punches)
|Ringside MMA 10: Cote vs. Starnes
|April 9, 2011
|align=center|2
|align=center|2:44
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|{{small|For the interim Ringside Welterweight Championship.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 6–0
|Tyler Jackson
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Ringside MMA 9: Payback
|November 13, 2010
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:51
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|{{small|Catchweight (175 lbs) bout.}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 5–0
|Ricky Goodall
| Submission (rear-naked choke)
|Ringside MMA 7: No Escape
|June 18, 2010
|align=center|1
|align=center|4:05
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 4–0
|Jaret MacIntosh
| TKO (punches)
|Ringside MMA 6: Rage
|April 10, 2010
|align=center|1
|align=center|0:44
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 3–0
|Matt Northcott
| TKO (punches)
|Ringside MMA 5: Triple Threat
|January 30, 2010
|align=center|3
|align=center|3:44
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 2–0
|T.J. Coletti
| TKO (punches)
|MFL 1: The Beginning
|October 17, 2009
|align=center|1
|align=center|3:34
|[[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
|align=center| 1–0
|Joel Vales
| Submission (armbar)
|AFC 1: Alianza Full Contact
|August 28, 2009
|align=center|1
|align=center|1:24
|[[Santo Domingo]], Dominican Republic
|
|-
{{end}}
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Alex-Garcia-54124|title=Alex|last=Sherdog.com|website=Sherdog|access-date=2018-10-28}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[List of current UFC fighters]]
* [[List of male mixed martial artists]]
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* {{UFC|alex-garcia}}
* {{Sherdog|54124}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Garcia, Alex}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1987 births]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic male mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic emigrants to Canada]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Santiago de los Caballeros]]
[[Category:Welterweight mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing kickboxing]]
[[Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu]]
[[Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters]]