UFC"Macapa"Rafael Estevam Record: 14-1-0
BantamweightRecord14-1-0
Age29
DivisionBantamweight · #31
Combat Edge Elo1725
Last fightApr 4 2026
Rafael Estevam has a 14-1-0 professional record and is 29 years old in the Bantamweight division, representing Nova Uniao. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 19, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Rafael Estevam bio
Personal background
Rafael Estevam is a Brazilian bantamweight competitor in the UFC, better known by the nickname “Macapa” in honor of his hometown. Born on August 10, 1996, in Macapa, the capital of the northern state of Amapa, he grew up far from Brazil’s traditional MMA hubs before relocating to chase the sport at the highest level. Estevam came to the fight game through jiu-jitsu, falling for grappling in 2012 and gradually rounding out his game into a complete mixed martial artist. He represents the storied Nova Uniao team, the Rio de Janeiro camp built by Andre Pederneiras that produced champions such as Jose Aldo, and the pedigree shows in the polish of his striking and submission work. A compact 5'8" with a 69-inch reach, he carries the heavy hands and tight grappling that have defined his rise.
Path to the UFC
Estevam turned professional in 2015 and built his record almost entirely on the Brazilian regional circuit, becoming a fixture on the long-running Shooto Brasil series. He stacked up finishes and decisions across promotions like Shooto Brasil, Fatality Arena and LFA, mixing knockouts with submissions to show he could win a fight anywhere. The breakthrough came on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2022, where he stopped the experienced Joao Elias by second-round TKO to earn his UFC contract. He arrived in the promotion unbeaten and with real momentum behind him.
UFC run
Estevam made a strong first impression in the Octagon. In November 2023 he debuted against Charles Johnson at a UFC Fight Night, controlling the action to take a unanimous decision and validate the hype that followed him out of the Contender Series. He kept the run going in February 2025, again going the distance for a unanimous-decision win over Jesus Aguilar, then backed it up that August with another three-round unanimous decision against fellow Brazilian Felipe Bunes. Three straight UFC wins pushed his overall mark to a glittering 14-0 and established him as a name to watch. The unbeaten streak finally ended in April 2026, when Ethyn Ewing handed Estevam the first loss of his career by third-round TKO – a setback that, while bruising, came only after a remarkable run to start his pro career.
Fighting style
Estevam is a well-balanced finisher whose record splits cleanly down the middle: of his 14 wins, four have come by knockout and three by submission, for a 50 percent finish rate, with the other seven going to the judges. That blend reflects a fighter comfortable in every phase – his jiu-jitsu base out of Nova Uniao gives him armbars, arm-triangles and rear-naked chokes when fights hit the mat, while his improving boxing has produced a string of TKO stoppages. In the UFC he has leaned on control and volume to win decisions, showing the patience and conditioning to grind out three rounds. The lone blemish on his record, a TKO loss, points to the work ahead defensively, but his complete tool set keeps him dangerous against anyone in the division.
Career highlights
- Contender Series contract — stopped Joao Elias by second-round TKO in 2022 to earn his UFC deal and announce himself as a top Brazilian prospect.
- Unbeaten UFC start — won his first three Octagon bouts by decision over Charles Johnson, Jesus Aguilar and Felipe Bunes, climbing to 14-0 overall.
- Nova Uniao pedigree — built a versatile, finish-capable game inside one of MMA’s most decorated camps, with a near-even split of knockouts, submissions and decisions.
Career snapshot
Rafael Estevam career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1725Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#242
Bantamweight#31of 173 active
Peak1749
Last move-24
Opponent quality1578avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1749 Elo after defeating Felipe Bunes (2025-08-02)
Similar Elo in Bantamweight
Rafael Estevam quick answers
What is Rafael Estevam's record?
Rafael Estevam's professional MMA record is 14-1-0.
How old is Rafael Estevam?
Rafael Estevam is 29 years old.
What weight class is Rafael Estevam?
Rafael Estevam fights at Bantamweight in UFC.
How tall is Rafael Estevam?
Rafael Estevam is 5'8" tall with a 69" reach.
How much does Rafael Estevam weigh?
Rafael Estevam competes at Bantamweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 128 lbs.
What is Rafael Estevam's Combat Edge Elo?
Rafael Estevam's Combat Edge Elo is 1725, with a peak Elo of 1749.
How strong is Rafael Estevam's recent opposition?
Rafael Estevam's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1578 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Rafael Estevam's last fight?
Rafael Estevam's latest tracked pro fight was against Ethyn Ewing at UFC Fight Night on Apr 4 2026.
What is Rafael Estevam's recent form?
Rafael Estevam's recent tracked pro form is L-W-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Rafael Estevam usually win?
Rafael Estevam's 14 recorded wins include 4 knockouts, 3 submissions, and 7 decisions, with 50% ending before the final bell.
4Wins by knockout
3Wins by submission
7Wins by decision
1Loss by knockout
0Loss by submission
0Loss by decision
Rafael Estevam stats
Record : 14 / 1 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.10Fighter3.23Division average
Significant striking accuracy
54%Fighter43%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
2.59Fighter3.78Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
47%Fighter55%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
6.01Fighter1.55Division average
Takedown accuracy
39%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
67%Fighter56%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.29Fighter0.55Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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