Rafa Garcia kicks off 2020 with his first title defense at Combate Americas 55 in Mexicali

Heading into his first title defense, Combate Americas lightweight champion Rafa Garcia feels like 2019 was a great year both in and out of the cage.

In addition to winning all three of his bouts in 2019 and claiming the Combate Americas championship, Garcia added to his family as well.

“I had a great 2019,” Garcia told MMAWeekly.com. “I got two big wins at the beginning of the year, and then winning the title was great, then three weeks later having a baby, it was an awesome year.”

One of the things Garcia feels have helped propel him to an undefeated record in his first 11 fights and a title is the fact that he is always pushing himself – no matter how successful he is – to continue to improve every fight out.

“I’m pretty critical,” said Garcia. “There’s always room for improvement. We try to correct things as quick as possible that we saw we didn’t do good in the fight. I always try to make myself better.

“I’m not satisfied with just having the lightweight title. I want more titles. I’m always improving. I’m always working to get better every day. I’m never satisfied. I never say I’m the best fighter because I always know there’s room for improvement.”

On Friday in Mexicali, Mexico, Garcia (11-0) will look to defend his title for the first time when he faces Humberto Bandenay (18-7) in the 155-pound championship main event of Combate Americas 55.

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“What I’m going to do to win is just do my fight,” Garcia said. “I’ve got to keep up the pressure, be me, and not worry about what he’s going to do. That’s what I’m doing. I’m always bringing pressure. I’m always coming to fight. I’m going to go in there, stick to my fight, and do it.

“I just go in there and do my thing. I want to get in and get out as soon as possible. For me, I don’t look at the pressure (of headlining and defending my title); I just go in and do the job I’ve got to do and do it.”

For Garcia, his focus for 2020 is on the fights themselves; everything else he leaves in the hands of his team.

“I like to go fight by fight,” said Garcia. “Road maps are my manager’s stuff. I don’t worry about the future. Right now my only job is to worry fight by fight and get this win first. That’s my main focus right now.”