Queens’ Fighter Fought at Noche UFC With One Leg After Car Accident, Reveals Former Champ Belal Muhammad

Jared Gordon is one of the true veterans of the sport, a fighter fans have long wanted to see deliver action-packed performances. The New York native’s UFC career has been somewhat lackluster, so heading into UFC Noche, he wasn’t just looking for a win—he was looking to make a statement. The event seemed like the perfect platform to turn things around and prove he could still be a threat in the lightweight division. Unfortunately, the result against Rafa Garcia didn’t go his way for a very unfortunate reason. 

Gordon actually started the fight well. He was light on his feet, reading punches effectively, and showing good composure. But as the pace picked up, the veteran began backing up, and Garcia started to find his rhythm. The Mexican UFC lightweight strung together sharp combinations that consistently landed. On top of the striking pressure, Garcia locked in a guillotine choke in the second round, giving Gordon even more trouble, but he ended up surviving the submission attempt.

By the third round, Garcia had completely taken over! He was teeing off with strikes, dropping Gordon, and nearly locking in a rear-naked choke before sealing the win with ground-and-pound. For many fans, that showing didn’t look like the Jared Gordon they were used to seeing—and it turns out there’s a reason. Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad revealed that Gordon, who fights out of Queens, was involved in a car accident just a day before the fight, which left him with a damaged knee. ‘Remember the Name’ wrote on X,  “Jared got hit by a car yesterday and popped his knee. He didn’t want to pull out and fought like a warrior.” 

It was definitely a tough night for Jared Gordon, who dropped a crucial fight at such an important stage of his career—especially since he had to compete while dealing with an injury. On the other hand, Rafa Garcia’s night was filled with positives, as he secured an impressive win over a seasoned veteran. For the 31-year-old, the victory was even more meaningful, coming on the grand stage of UFC Noche, an event dedicated to celebrating Mexican Independence Day.

Rafa Garcia proved the Mexican spirit at UFC Noche

For Mexican fighters, UFC Noche is an annual stage to showcase their spirit and pride. In the main card opener, Santiago Luna set the tone with a vicious first-round knockout over Quang Le. Rafa Garcia carried that same energy, earning a gritty third-round finish of his own.

In his post-fight interview, Garcia said, “First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for everything. Second of all, every time I talk to you it’s a good thing. But fighting on a day like Mexican Independence Day gives you more power, you know? I just wanted to show everybody what Mexican spirit is all about.”

That passion showed the motivation Garcia and other Mexican fighters bring to UFC Noche. After sharing his thoughts on the event, the 31-year-old explained how he managed to break his opponent down. He added, “I knew he was gonna be ducking, you know. Every time he fights, he ducks his head a lot. So I had to catch him with an elbow, which is bigger than my fist, and that’s how I landed.”

It was a clever game plan from Garcia and his team, and it paid off perfectly. Now sitting at 4-1 in his last five fights! Garcia is clearly building momentum in the lightweight division. The real question is: is he ready for a showdown with someone like Benoit Saint-Denis, who got a solid win at UFC Paris? Or is there an even bigger challenge waiting for him? Let us know in the comments below!