Pablo Garza (fighter)
Encyclopedia
Pablo Garza is an American
professional mixed martial artist
who competes in the Featherweight
division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Garza mostly competed in his regional circuit before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
. Garza also competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
promotion and has fought in the World Extreme Cagefighting
promotion. He was the first fighter to win a UFC Featherweight bout.
, and trains full time at the Academy of Combat Arts stands at 6'1 and is nicknamed "The Scarecrow".
Prior to joining the UFC, Garza appeared for promotions such as King of the Cage
and Brutaal Fight Night.
to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
.
In the debut episode, Garza lost to the highly touted prospect Michael Johnson
in a two-round decision.
Garza then faced Aaron Steele on September 11, 2010. In preparation for the fight, Garza visited Minnesota Martial Arts Academy
, training with Sean Sherk
, Jacob Volkmann
and Greg Nelson. Garza went on to win the fight via TKO (punches) late in the third round.
. Replacing Jason Reinhardt
, Garza stepped up to face Tiequan Zhang on the undercard of WEC 51
on 5 days notice. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.
Garza's UFC debut was a Featherweight bout against Fredson Paixão
at The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale
. This was the first ever featherweight fight in the UFC. Garza knocked Paixão out 51 seconds into the first round after a devastating flying knee. After being unconscious for nearly two minutes, Paixão was on his back for close to four minutes while being given oxygen, before being placed in a neck brace and carried out on a stretcher. Garza won a $30,000 Knockout of the Night bonus due to the knockout.
Garza defeated Yves Jabouin
on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129
via submission due to a flying triangle choke. The finish earned him Submission of the Night honors and $129,000.
Garza faced Dustin Poirier
on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox 1. He lost the fight in the second round after tapping out to a d'arce choke.
| Loss
|align=center| 11–2
|
Dustin Poirier
| Submission (D'arce choke)
| UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 1:32
|Anaheim, California
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–1
|
Yves Jabouin
| Submission (flying triangle choke)
| UFC 129
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:31
|Toronto, Ontario
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–1
|
Fredson Paixão
| KO (flying knee)
| The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:51
|Las Vegas, Nevada
, United States
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 9–1
|
Zhang Tie Quan
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| WEC 51
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:26
|Broomfield, Colorado
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–0
| Aaron Steele
| TKO (punches)
| Crowbar MMA: Fall Brawl
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 2:57
|Fargo, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–0
| William Joplin
| Decision (unanimous)
| The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 6
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Hankinson, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–0
| Nate Bell
| Submission (punches)
| King of the Cage: Ice Age
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:00
|Mahnomen, Minnesota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0
| Jayson Fuentes
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 6
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:54
|New Town, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0
| Caleb Wolff
| Submission (armbar)
| Brutaal Fight Night: All American Cage Fighting
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
|Bismarck, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0
| Mitch Jackson
| Submission (triangle choke)
| Max Fights 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:53
|Fargo, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
| Jonathan Knutson
| Decision (unanimous)
| EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 4
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|New Town, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Tyler Larson
| Submission (kimura)
| Max Fights 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:38
|Fargo, North Dakota
, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
| Mike Davis
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| KO: Productions
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:38
|Grand Forks, North Dakota
, United States
|
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
professional mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
who competes in the Featherweight
Featherweight (MMA)
The featherweight division in mixed martial arts can refer to a number of different weight classes:*UFC's & Pancrase's featherweight division, which groups competitors within 136 to 145 lb...
division. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Garza mostly competed in his regional circuit before signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....
. Garza also competes for the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
promotion and has fought in the World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
promotion. He was the first fighter to win a UFC Featherweight bout.
Background and early career
Garza is a predominantly ground based fighter, where he has managed to secure several submission victories. Garza, who is based in Fargo, North DakotaFargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
, and trains full time at the Academy of Combat Arts stands at 6'1 and is nicknamed "The Scarecrow".
Prior to joining the UFC, Garza appeared for promotions such as King of the Cage
King of the Cage
King of the Cage, also known as KOTC, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in Southern California, USA.-History:KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features up and coming MMA stars as well as experienced combat fighters....
and Brutaal Fight Night.
The Ultimate Fighter
Garza then signed with the Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipUltimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck is the twelfth installment of the Ultimate Fighting Championship produced reality television series The Ultimate Fighter....
.
In the debut episode, Garza lost to the highly touted prospect Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson (fighter)
Michael Johnson is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the lightweight division. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Johnson mostly competed in his regional circuit, before signing onto the Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs...
in a two-round decision.
Outside promotions
After leaving the UFC, Garza fought in smaller, outside promotions. Before his Ultimate Fighter fight with Michael Johnson had even aired on television, Garza faced William Joplin, winning via unanimous decision. The fight, which was predominantly stand-up based, saw Garza break the nose of Joplin, before taking control of the fight.Garza then faced Aaron Steele on September 11, 2010. In preparation for the fight, Garza visited Minnesota Martial Arts Academy
Minnesota Martial Arts Academy
Minnesota Martial Arts Academy is a martial arts training center in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota that was founded in 1992 by Greg Nelson, a former NCAA Division 1 wrestler at the University of Minnesota.-History:...
, training with Sean Sherk
Sean Sherk
Sean Keith Sherk is an American mixed martial arts fighter currently fighting for the UFC. He currently holds a professional mixed martial arts record of thirty-six wins, four losses and one draw. Sherk has fought in both the UFC and Pride FC, and is a former UFC Lightweight Champion...
, Jacob Volkmann
Jacob Volkmann
Jacob Joseph Volkmann is an American mixed martial artist competing in the lightweight division and formerly at welterweight. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Volkmann had made a name for himself fighting in the Midwest...
and Greg Nelson. Garza went on to win the fight via TKO (punches) late in the third round.
World Extreme Cagefighting
Despite being eliminated in the opening round of The Ultimate Fighter, Garza was signed by the UFCs sister promotion, World Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
. Replacing Jason Reinhardt
Jason Reinhardt
Jason Reinhardt is an American mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor since 2000, Reinhardt fought in regional promotions before signing with Zuffa in 2007...
, Garza stepped up to face Tiequan Zhang on the undercard of WEC 51
WEC 51
WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on September 30, 2010 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The event was the first that the WEC hosted in Colorado.-Background:...
on 5 days notice. He lost the fight via submission in the first round.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In October 2010, World Extreme CagefightingWorld Extreme Cagefighting
World Extreme Cagefighting was an American mixed martial arts promotion. It was purchased by Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship , in 2006. In its final incarnation, it was made up of 3 weight classes: 135, 145 and 155 lbs. To accommodate the smaller...
merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.
Garza's UFC debut was a Featherweight bout against Fredson Paixão
Fredson Paixao
Fredson Paixão Melo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, formerly competing as a featherweight in the UFC. He is a member of the Gracie Barra Combat Team Academy.-Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:...
at The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck Finale
The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale, also referred to as The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States on December 4, 2010.-Background:This was the first...
. This was the first ever featherweight fight in the UFC. Garza knocked Paixão out 51 seconds into the first round after a devastating flying knee. After being unconscious for nearly two minutes, Paixão was on his back for close to four minutes while being given oxygen, before being placed in a neck brace and carried out on a stretcher. Garza won a $30,000 Knockout of the Night bonus due to the knockout.
Garza defeated Yves Jabouin
Yves Jabouin
Yves Jabouin is a Haitian-Canadian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the bantamweight division of the UFC.-Mixed martial arts career:...
on April 30, 2011 at UFC 129
UFC 129
UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.-Background:...
via submission due to a flying triangle choke. The finish earned him Submission of the Night honors and $129,000.
Garza faced Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, currently competing as a featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox 1. He lost the fight in the second round after tapping out to a d'arce choke.
Mixed martial arts record
|-| Loss
|align=center| 11–2
|
Dustin PoirierDustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier is an American professional mixed martial arts fighter, currently competing as a featherweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...
| Submission (D'arce choke)
| UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos
UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos
UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on November 12, 2011 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The event was the fifth that the UFC has hosted in Anaheim.-Background:This card marked the UFC's debut on the Fox Network...
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 1:32
|Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–1
|
Yves JabouinYves Jabouin
Yves Jabouin is a Haitian-Canadian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the bantamweight division of the UFC.-Mixed martial arts career:...
| Submission (flying triangle choke)
| UFC 129
UFC 129
UFC 129: St-Pierre vs. Shields was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 4:31
|Toronto, Ontario
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–1
|
Fredson PaixãoFredson Paixao
Fredson Paixão Melo is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, formerly competing as a featherweight in the UFC. He is a member of the Gracie Barra Combat Team Academy.-Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:...
| KO (flying knee)
| The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:51
|Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Loss
|align=center| 9–1
|
Zhang Tie QuanZhang Tie Quan
Zhang Tiequan, or Zhang Tie Quan , often anglicised to Tiequan Zhang, is a Chinese mixed martial artist, who fights as a featherweight. He has spent most of his career fighting in the Art of War Fighting Championship in his native China, but in 2010, he joined World Extreme Cagefighting in the...
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| WEC 51
WEC 51
WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan was a mixed martial arts event held by World Extreme Cagefighting that took place on September 30, 2010 at the 1stBank Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The event was the first that the WEC hosted in Colorado.-Background:...
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 2:26
|Broomfield, Colorado
Broomfield, Colorado
The City and County of Broomfield is a prominent suburb and tier of the Denver metropolitan area in the State of Colorado of the United States. Broomfield has a consolidated city and county government which operates under Article XX, Sections 10-13 of the Constitution of the State of Colorado. The...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–0
|
Aaron Steele| TKO (punches)
| Crowbar MMA: Fall Brawl
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 2:57
|Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–0
|
William Joplin| Decision (unanimous)
| The Cage Inc.: Battle at the Border 6
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|Hankinson, North Dakota
Hankinson, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,058 people, 454 households, and 261 families residing in the city. The population density was 756.5 people per square mile . There were 524 housing units at an average density of 374.7 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 7–0
|
Nate Bell| Submission (punches)
| King of the Cage: Ice Age
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 1:00
|Mahnomen, Minnesota
Mahnomen, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,202 people, 532 households, and 311 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,252.9 people per square mile . There were 576 housing units at an average density of 600.4 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 74.29% White,...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 6–0
|
Jayson Fuentes| Submission (rear naked choke)
| EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 6
|
|align=center| 2
|align=center| 4:54
|New Town, North Dakota
New Town, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,367 people, 488 households, and 318 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,031.6 people per square mile . There were 512 housing units at an average density of 760.9 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0
|
Caleb Wolff| Submission (armbar)
| Brutaal Fight Night: All American Cage Fighting
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:37
|Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck, North Dakota
Bismarck is the capital of the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Burleigh County. It is the second most populous city in North Dakota after Fargo. The city's population was 61,272 at the 2010 census, while its metropolitan population was 108,779...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 4–0
|
Mitch Jackson| Submission (triangle choke)
| Max Fights 6
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:53
|Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 3–0
|
Jonathan Knutson| Decision (unanimous)
| EB: Beatdown at 4 Bears 4
|
|align=center| 3
|align=center| 5:00
|New Town, North Dakota
New Town, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,367 people, 488 households, and 318 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,031.6 people per square mile . There were 512 housing units at an average density of 760.9 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
|
Tyler Larson| Submission (kimura)
| Max Fights 4
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 3:38
|Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo, North Dakota
Fargo is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Cass County. In 2010, its population was 105,549, and it had an estimated metropolitan population of 208,777...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 1–0
|
Mike Davis| Submission (guillotine choke)
| KO: Productions
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| 0:38
|Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of North Dakota and the county seat of Grand Forks County. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 52,838, while that of the city and surrounding metropolitan area was 98,461...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
|