Leonard Garcia
| Leonard Garcia | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 14, 1979 Plainview, Texas, United States |
| Other names | Bad Boy, Split Decision |
| Nationality |  American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) |
| Division | Featherweight |
| Reach | 69.5 in (177 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing |
| Fighting out of | Lubbock, Texas |
| Team | Jackson's Submission Fighting |
| Rank | brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Years active | 1999-2003; 2006-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 23 |
| Wins | 15 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 7 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Leonard Garcia (born July 14, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist who currently fights in the featherweight division of Ultimate Fighting Championship. He previously fought in the UFC in the lightweight division before moving down to the 145 pound featherweight division in the WEC. Garcia currently trains at Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Mixed martial arts career
Garcia began his career in 1999, competing on the regional circuit in the Western United States. Garcia competed in the first WEC event back in 2001 at WEC 1. After compiling an impressive 8-1 beginning to his professional career, Garcia took a three year break.
Returning to action in 2006, Garcia was tabbed as a short notice replacement against Roger Huerta at UFC 69 where he lost a very competitive unanimous decision.
Garcia then defeated Allen Berube by submission at The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale and lost via decision to Cole Miller at UFC Fight Night 11.
World Extreme Cagefighting
Garcia defeated Hiroyuki Takaya via first round KO at WEC 32. In his next fight, Leonard dominated former UFC champion and WEC #1 contender Jens Pulver, ending the fight in the first round at WEC 36.
On March 1, 2009, Garcia lost the WEC Featherweight title match against champion Mike Brown. Brown landed a huge overhand right, knocking Gracia down in the first 30 seconds of the fight, landed some ground and pound, and then secured a fight ending arm triangle choke.
Garcia defeated Jameel Massouh by split decision on August 9, 2009 at WEC 42. In his next fight, Garcia lost to Manvel Gamburyan on November 18, 2009 at WEC 44 via unanimous decision.[1]
Garcia was expected to face Diego Nunes on March 6, 2010 at WEC 47,[2] but Nunes was forced from the card with an injury.[3] Garcia instead faced former UFC fighter George Roop[4] with the bout ending in a draw.
Garcia faced WEC newcomer Chan Sung Jung on April 24, 2010 at WEC 48. Garcia replaced Cub Swanson who was forced from the card with an injury.[5] The fight went the full three rounds and Garcia won in a controversial split decision. The fight won Fight of the Night honors, being hailed by UFC matchmaker Joe Silva and announcer Joe Rogan as "the best fight I've seen in my life."
Garcia faced Mark Hominick on September 30, 2010 at WEC 51.[6] He lost the fight via split decision.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In October 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.[7] Garcia was expected to face Tyler Toner at The Ultimate 12 Finale,[8] but Garcia was pulled from the bout with Toner in favor of a bout with Nam Phan.[9]
Garcia won the fight via a highly controversial split decision.[10] Garcia and Phan received Fight of the Night honors for their performances.[11] This was the first televised featherweight bout in the UFC.
A rematch with Phan was expected on March 26, 2011 at UFC Fight Night 24.[12] However, Phan was forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Chan Sung Jung.[13]
Personal life
In March 2008, Garcia was arrested as part of an alleged cocaine ring, which put his career on hold. According to Garcia, "I had a buddy, a really good friend of mine in Lubbock, and he was into things that weren't good," he said. "I knew about what the guy was up to but he was a friend of mine. The law says even if he's your friend, you are required to report on the guy. The other 11 guys, I didn't know any of them." Three months later, he was exonerated.[14]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Won Fight of the Night (Once)
- World Extreme Cagefighting
- Won Fight of the Night (Twice)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Fight of the Year (2010) vs. Jung Chan-Sung[15]
Mixed martial arts record
| 23 matches | 15 wins | 7 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 0 |
| By submission | 9 | 2 |
| By decision | 4 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Result | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15-7-1 |  Chan Sung Jung
|
Submission (Twister) | UFC Fight Night: Nogueira vs. Davis | March 26, 2011 | 2 | 4:59 | Seattle, Washington
|
|
| Win | 15-6-1 | Nam Phan
|
Decision (Split) | The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale | December 4, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada
|
Won Fight of the Night |
| Loss | 14-6-1 |  Mark Hominick
|
Decision (Split) | WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan | September 30, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Broomfield, Colorado
|
|
| Win | 14-5-1 | Chan Sung Jung
|
Decision (Split) | WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber | April 24, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Sacramento, California
|
Won Fight of the Night, Won Fight of the Year |
| Draw | 13-5-1 | George Roop
|
Draw (Split) | WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz | March 6, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Ohio
|
Won Fight of the Night |
| Loss | 13-5 |  Manvel Gamburyan
|
Decision (Unanimous) | WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo | November 18, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada
| |
| Win | 13-4 | Jameel Massouh
|
Decision (Split) | WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles | August 9, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada
| |
| Loss | 12-4 | Mike Brown
|
Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) | WEC 39: Brown vs. Garcia | March 1, 2009 | 1 | 1:57 | Corpus Christi, Texas USA
|
For WEC Featherweight Championship |
| Win | 12-3 | Jens Pulver
|
KO (Punches) | WEC 36: Faber vs. Brown | November 5, 2008 | 1 | 1:12 | Hollywood, Florida, USA
| |
| Win | 11-3 |  Hiroyuki Takaya
|
KO (Punches) | WEC 32: Condit vs. Prater | February 13, 2008 | 1 | 1:31 | Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
|
WEC Featherweight Debut |
| Loss | 10-3 | Cole Miller
|
Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Thomas vs Florian | September 19, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
|
|
| Win | 10-2 | Allen Berube
|
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale | June 23, 2007 | 1 | 4:22 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
|
|
| Loss | 9-2 | Roger Huerta
|
Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 69: Shootout | April 7, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, USA
|
UFC debut. |
| Win | 9-1 | Rocky Johnson
|
Submission | ROF 23 - Impact | April 1, 2006 | 1 | 4:58 | Colorado, United States
| |
| Win | 8-1 | Justin James
|
Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | ROF 7 - Meltdown | March 28, 2003 | 1 | 2:28 | Colorado, United States
| |
| Win | 7-1 | Steve Horton
|
Submission (armbar) | ROF 4 - Warriors | March 15, 2002 | 1 | N/A | Colorado, United States
| |
| Win | 6-1 |  Víctor Estrada
|
KO (Head Kick) | WEC 1: Princes of Pain | June 30, 2001 | 2 | 0:54 | California, United States
| |
| Win | 5-1 | Jake Hattan
|
Submission (Guillotine Choke) | ROF 2 - Trial By Fire | February 10, 2001 | 2 | N/A | Colorado, United States
| |
| Win | 4-1 | Shawn Simpson
|
Submission (Triangle Choke) | ROF 2 - Trial By Fire | February 10, 2001 | 1 | N/A | Colorado, United States
| |
| Win | 3-1 | Brent Medley
|
Submission (Triangle Choke) | USWF 18 - Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 18 | November 25, 2000 | 1 | 3:59 | Texas, United States
| |
| Win | 2-1 | Puma Green
|
Submission (Armbar) | ROF 1 - Ring of Fire 1 | March 18, 2000 | N/A | N/A | Colorado, United States
| |
| Loss | 1-1 | Brent Medley
|
Decision (Split) | USWF 15 - Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 15 | May 1, 1999 | 1 | 20:00 | Texas, United States
| |
| Win | 1-0 | Chris Cantrell
|
Submission (Armbar) | USWF 15 - Unified Shoot Wrestling Federation 15 | May 1, 1999 | 1 | 1:28 | Texas, United States
|
References
- ^ "WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo results". www.wec.tv/index.cfmom. 2009-11-19.
- ^ "Leonard Garcia and Diego Nunes agree to WEC 47 bout". mmajunkie.com. 2010-01-18.
- ^ "Injury forces Diego Nunes to withdraw from WEC 47 on March 6 in Columbus". mmamania.com. 2010-02-18.
- ^ "George Roop tapped as late replacement, faces Leonard Garcia at WEC 47". mmajunkie.com. 2010-02-20.
- ^ "Leonard Garcia Replaces Cub Swanson, Fights Jung at WEC 48 in April". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved 2010-03-27.
- ^ "Mark Hominick vs. Leonard Garcia on tap for WEC 51 in September". mmajunkie.com. 07-08-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV". mmajunkie.com. October 28, 2010.
- ^ "Leonard Garcia Meets Nam Pham (A semi final runner up on TUF 12) At TUF 12 Finale On Dec 4". mmajunkie.com. Dec 1, 2010.
- ^ "Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan slotted for The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale". mmajunkie.com. Dec 1, 2010.
- ^ http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/12/04/ultimate-fighter-finale-results-leonard-garcia-beats-nam-phan/
- ^ "TUF 12 Finale Results: Garcia Defeats Phan in Highly Controversial Split Decision". MMAWeekly.com. December 4, 2010.
- ^ "Leonard Garcia vs. Nam Phan 2 Headed to UFC Fight Night 24". mmaweekly.com. January 10, 2011.
- ^ "UFC Fight Night 24: Leonard Garcia vs Chan Sung Jung booked with Nam Phan injured". mmamania.com. March 16, 2011.
- ^ Dave Meltzer (2009-02-27). "After fighting feds, Garcia ready for Brown". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2011). "Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, CA: 1–40. ISSN 1083-9593.