#6
Leonard Garcia
Summary: Submissions, stamina
Fighter Info
Nickname: | Bad Boy |
From: | Plainview, Texas United States |
Fights Out Of: | Lubbock, Texas USA |
Age: | 31 |
Height: | 5' 10" ( 177 cm ) |
Weight: | 145 lb ( 65 kg ) |
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 one sided 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.
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.
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] Garcia lost to Jung in the second round, falling victim to the first twister submission in UFC history.
