MEXICO CITY – Rafa Garcia spoke to the media on Wednesday in anticipation of his fight at UFC on ESPN 64.
Garcia (16-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is scheduled to face Vinc Pichel (14-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) in a preliminary card match at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. During the event`s media day, Garcia answered questions from the press regarding his upcoming fight.
Garcia, a 30-year-old native of Mexico, expressed his enthusiasm about finally having the opportunity to compete in his home country under the UFC banner.
“I’ve been asking for a fight on a Mexican card for a while now – whether it was Noche UFC this past September or an event like this,” Garcia stated on Wednesday. “It’s incredibly exciting, and I’m eager to go out there and deliver a show. Noche UFC looked amazing – I really wish I could have been part of it.”
“I`m thrilled to be fighting in Mexico City, but I also feel the responsibility to put on a show for the fans and give them what they expect. They want to see excitement. They want to see me move forward and engage in a war.”
Garcia’s UFC journey has been inconsistent, marked by several decision losses and a TKO defeat to Grant Dawson in his most recent fight. However, his victories include wins against promising talents like Natan Levy and seasoned veterans such as Clay Guida.
Coming off the Dawson fight, which was the only stoppage loss in his career, Garcia appears determined to change the narrative when he faces Vinc Pichel, a participant from “Ultimate Fighter” Season 15.
“I know he’s an extremely tough opponent,” Garcia commented. “We brought in training partners to simulate his style. He’s a veteran – he’s been in the sport for a long time. He has a wealth of experience, and I have great respect for him.”
