Rafael Estevam

Ethyn Ewing vs. Rafael Estevam (136.5: Missed Weight)
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ewing (-160); Estevam (+135)

Round 1
Even though the fight happened in November 2025, Ewing (9-2, 1-0 UFC) still has some hype about him for shutting down then-unbeaten Malcolm Wellmaker in a surprise thriller. “The Professor Finesser” stares down another undefeated opponent, this time former flyweight Estevam (14-0, 3-0 UFC). The Brazilian could not be bothered to make weight at this new, higher category, suffering a 20% fine as a not-so-bantamweight. Guarding over the catchweight contest will be referee Chris Tognoni. The fighters elect not to bump fists.
The two are cautious to engage, with only one strike in the first 20 seconds landing—a low kick from the Brazilian. Ewing paws out his jab and is kicked again in the front leg. Estevam kicks from his read leg, and he allows Ewing to swing so he can dodge and counter with a left hand. Estevam keeps working on the front leg, and Ewing kicks him back far heavier. Ewing doubles up on his jab out of range, hopping back from a low kick but not away from a left hook. Estevam spins with a back fist and nearly topples over, and he gathers himself and braces for impact from the American. When Ewing engages, Estevam shoots in for a single. Ewing sprawls, and Estevam redoubles his effort but is unable to secure the takedown. Estevam lets it go and parries a jab, and a shovel uppercut and low kick get through. Estevam ducks and dips to offer out an uppercut, narrowly missing the target. Estevam tries this combination again, and he gets closer but still only manages to strike with an overhand right.
Ewing deftly shuts down the takedown shot that comes, and he takes two punches off the guard and a third on the chin. Estevam leaps out for a flying knee, and Ewing intercepts him on the way up with a knee that bangs into the cup. Estevam lands and protests, and Tognoni calls time. Estevam takes 40 seconds to get his bearings, and he reintroduces himself with a calf kick and a sharp jab. Ewing slides out of the way and pulls back before throwing his punches, with Estevam beating him to the punch with everything but a hard right hand. Estevam staggers back, possibly stunned or at least off-balance, and he shoots in for a takedown and gets sprawled like a pancake. Ewing gets right in his face and lets his head movement keep him safe, busting Estevam in the chops with a few punches. Ewing fearlessly walks his opponent down, staying just out of range from the worst flying at his head. Ewing laughs off a takedown and knocks Estevam to his seat with a flurry of fists, and time expires to save Estevam. Happy as a clam, Ewing shimmies after the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ewing
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ewing
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ewing

Round 2
Estevam starts out aggressively, throwing punches and low kicks before shooting for a takedown. Ewing stands him up and knees him flush in the face. Estevam shakes it off and surges forward, unable to pin Ewing down but throwing nonetheless. Ewing dances back from big swings and throws back with accurate blows, bloodying up the Brazilian’s nose and forcing him to shoot awkwardly. Estevam hurls a big punch, and Ewing slips it and jams him in the ribs with a left. Estevam has his back to the wall and takes a clean right hand that shakes him up, and two more big hooks from Ewing pound off his melon. Estevam is throwing back with a vengeance, but Ewing cannot miss. Estevam tries to catch Ewing coming in with an elbow, and Ewing gives him a taste of his own medicine and proceeds to knee him as well. Estevam comes into clinch in hopes of setting up some grappling, and Ewing tosses him aside and boxes him up with a number of jabs. Ewing slips with a crisp uppercut, and Estevam turns away, not a fan of that blow. He goes to the lead leg with kicks, and he is in his flow state at this point.
Estevam peppers Ewing’s guard with punches and takes a hard one on the chin that makes him step back, with the American staying out of the way when Estevam leaps towards him. Ewing’s combinations are quick and pinpoint accurate, as he loops his right hand over the arm of his foe to bang it into Estevam’s temple time and again. Estevam is tough but is taking serious damage, the power on the side of Ewing. Ewing rocks the Brazilian with a bomb of a right hand, and Estevam desperately shoots for a takedown only to get completely shut down. Ewing stalks Estevam down, stumbles him and raises his arms defiantly. Estevam gathers himself and slugs his way forward, but this only opens him up to Ewing’s fluid combos and surprising power. Estevam’s takedown shot is met with a submission trap, and he stands up to take four punches right in the face. Estevam is hanging in there as Ewing rolls downhill on him, with the American swaying and dodging practically everything while putting a beating on the undefeated athlete. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ewing
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ewing
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Ewing

Round 3
The two meet in the pocket in the center of the cage and proceed to trade hands. Ewing dances on the outer edge of Estevam’s strikes, slipping them and countering while the crowd chants for either “Ethyn” or “Defense.” Ewing walks through anything hurled at him, including a kick to his groin, so that he can further pressure the unbeaten fighter. Ewing checks a kick and goes upstairs with a right hand, and he stumbles his man with a clubbing right hook. Estevam gathers his thoughts, albeit fleeting at this point, and backs himself to the fence in hopes of countering off of it.
Ewing does not let him do it, instead boxing Estevam up with a magnificent combination of punches. In his element, Ewing concludes his combo with a devastating left to the liver, and Estevam folds like a flan in a cupboard, falling to his back totally defeated. As Tognoni sprints in to stop the fight, Ewing rains down a single standing-to-ground crushing-yet-unnecessary hammerfist
, and that’s all the work he needs to put in tonight. That marks two undefeated opponents, two victories for the rising star Ewing, who appears to be one to watch going forward in the talent-stacked bantamweight division.

The Official Result
Ethyn Ewing def. Rafael Estevam R3 1:44 via KO (Punch to the Body)

Jesus Santos Aguilar vs. Rafael Estevam
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Estevam (-360), Aguilar (+285)

Round 1
A pair of fighters separated by about five months and five inches of height come to blows in the on-fire flyweight category. While he debuted with a win over Charles Johnson, inactivity has plagued Estevam (12-0, 1-0 UFC) as that victory came in November 2023 and he has not fought since. Since then, Aguilar (11-2, 3-1 UFC) has competed and prevailed on two separate occasions, giving him momentum leading up to their engagement. The third man in the Octagon is referee Chris Tognoni, who observes the sporting clap of hands from the fighters to get going. Aguilar says hello with a low kick, and he charges in with a looping left that allows him to close the distance. Estevam defends the throw setup and prevents Aguilar from tossing him, but the ensuing grappling results in Estevam somehow taking Aguilar’s back. The two jockey for position and threaten with submission setups, and Aguilar sells out for a takedown and winds up pulling Estevam on top of him instead. Estevam smothers from half guard, staying well busy enough to stave off Tognoni. The Brazilian fighter loops his foe’s legs beneath his to further trap him, but Aguilar still times an explosion to power back to his feet. Aguilar grabs hold of a guillotine choke and jumps for it, and he hooks his leg around the back but is unable to fasten the other. “Macapa” calmly works his way out of the sub and he remains on top, following Aguilar every time he tries to scramble. When Aguilar gets to his feet, Estevam has him from behind, and he hunts for a high back ride to drag his man down. Aguilar tries to shoot in, but Estevam controls him until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Estevam

Round 2
Aguilar comes out of his corner like his hair is on fire, with a pair of looping hooks leading into a jump knee. Estevam catches the latter and tries to do something with it, but he lets it go and dives after a takedown. Aguilar is on his seat when defending it, with Estevam quick to lace the legs once more. Estevam sits up and the two slug it out from a seated position, with Aguilar’s back stuck against the wall as he spams elbows and punches with little on them. Estevam wrestles Aguilar back down and dings him with uppercuts, and every time he opens up, Aguilar fights to escape. Tognoni asks for more activity, and Aguilar stands up. Estevam chucks him back to the mat like a side of beef, and Aguilar climbs up, circles around and jumps for a guillotine choke. Estevam stuffs it and forces a 50/50 position, with Aguilar complaining that his glove is being grabbed. Estevam takes his foe’s back and clubs him in the side of the head, hitting a mat return when Aguilar fruitlessly works his way upright once more. Aguilar clings to any low-percentage move he can search for, while Estevam is running a wrestling clinic on him. Estevam wraps up an arm-triangle choke, and he jumps from one side to the other to complete the maneuver. Aguilar turns to his stomach to prevent the submission from completing, and the round closes.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Estevam

Round 3
Aguilar is the fast aggressor in the last round, putting hooks behind kicks behind more hooks. Estevam slows his foe down with a slew of front kicks, and Aguilar shrugs them off and charges with looping strikes before pursuing a takedown. Estevam shakes out of the tie-up, and Aguilar walks him down kicking him high and low. Aguilar punches his way into a level change, and Estevam stonewalls him and threatens with his own single. Aguilar stifles it, and the two break apart. Aguilar clubs his opponent with power punches that stun him, and he times a perfect knee when Estevam shoots on him. Aguilar lets him up and starts laying into the unbeaten fighter with massive swinging strikes. Aguilar throws himself off-balance, but he has done some solid damage and likely rocked Estevam on at least one occasion. Estevam keeps a stiff upper lip and is ready for counters, but Aguilar’s aggression is starting to give him issues. Estevam just dodges a huge left hook in time, and Aguilar sits down on a low kick and lunges forward with a jab. Aguilar punches his way into a takedown, where he puts Estevam on the mat but does not establish top control. Instead, Aguilar lets him up and punches him a few times, and he lets Estevam shoot so he can defend with a guillotine. Aguilar climbs on the back—an issue plaguing him several times tonight—and slides off almost immediately. Estevam relishes this opportunity so he can slow Aguilar down, with his sights likely more on surviving than actually trying to put Aguilar away. A few more lather-rinse-repeat takedowns and mat returns come from the Brazilian until time expires.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Estevam)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Estevam)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Estevam)

The Official Result
Rafael Estevam def. Jesus Santos Aguilar via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Rafael Estevam (128: Missed Weight) vs. Charles Johnson
BETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Estevam (-125), Johnson (+105)

Round 1
This is the next UFC Fight Night card holed up in the UFC Apex. There are 14 fights on it, and it starts earlier than usual. The first one comes in an unplanned catchweight, as Johnson (13-5, 2-3 UFC) tries to even his UFC record to .500 at the expense of heavy unbeaten newcomer Estevam (11-0, 0-0 UFC). The latter tipped the scales two pounds above the flyweight cap, and he siphoned off 20% of his purse to his opponent. The fighters do not touch gloves with referee Chris Tognoni watching on, and instead they look to find their own ranges immediately with kicks and jabs. Estevam changes levels after throwing a high kick, but Johnson is out of the way. Estevam peppers his foe with kicks to the calf and body, and Johnson springs out of the way of some of them but not all. Estevam keeps a high volume, always prodding out, until he shoots low for a single-leg takedown. His momentum allows him to plow Johnson against the fence, but the takedown does not succeed. Estevam readjusts himself and throws Johnson all the way around his body and down to the mat. Johnson is quick to start rifling off punches from his back, while frustrating Estevam with an elbow or two as he works to his knees. Estevam pounces on him to stop Johnson from standing, and takes the back of “InnerG” and leans against the cage wall. Johnson elbows the thigh repeatedly, and Estevam hunts for a choke that is more of a seat belt grip with his arm draped around the back. Johnson explodes to turn him around, and Estevam trips him and slams him down with gravitas. Johnson turns and surrenders his back, allowing Estevam to take it and fish for a choke grip. Estevam bails on it to let Johnson turn over so he can step into mount, and he considers an arm-triangle choke. The American keeps turning, but Estevam follows him every step of the way and reclaims mount to drill his man with punches and elbows. Johnson bucks and drags Estevam back to half guard, and he continues to scramble so he can escape the Brazilian’s clutches. Estevam gets the back again during a grappling exchange, and he ignores Johnson elbowing his thigh until the horn blares.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
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Round 2
The fighters are amped to get started, and Estevam practically sprints out of his corner to attack a single. Johnson keeps upright, but Estevam redoubles his effort and seats Johnson. Johnson springs up with his back against the wire, and Estevam wrangles him down to the ground with a body lock. Johnson looks to stand back up, and Estevam wraps his legs around Johnson’s waist to serve as a miserable backpack as Johnson gets back up. Estevam sneaks his right arm around the face and looks for a choke attempt, and Johnson falls over and hand-fights to keep himself out of submission danger. Estevam switches his grip to crank his right arm on the chin of his foe, and Johnson toughs it out and turns to his side. Johnson punches to little effect behind his head and wipes at his eye, and Estevam adjusts his body triangle and squeezes the midsection. Johnson turns again in an effort to get out, and Estevam steps over calmly to assume mount before a slick Johnson reverses him and tosses Estevam to his back. Johnson backs off to force them to stand up, and Estevam follows him and quickly shoots in on his hips. Johnson defends with a few elbows on the dome as he attempts to stop the takedown, and Estevam slithers around to the back as he looks to trip Johnson out. Estevam sneaks in a knee, and Johnson works his way around and slings a kick to the midsection on the break. Johnson strings together several punches, and Estevam answers with one or two and shoots in from a distance. Johnson stuffs him and lets his hands go, and he lets loose a kick and falls to the mat. As “InnerG” gets back up, Estevam surges forward for one last takedown, but the round ends before he can get it.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Estevam
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Estevam

Round 3
The round begins, and Tognoni calls time as he sees that Johnson is covered in sweat or water. Tognoni wipes him off with a towel, and the last round officially begins. Johnson comes out like a bat out of hell, charging at Estevam and laying into him with punch combinations. The strikes from the Missouri native put him off-balance, and Estevam tries to take advantage of this with a takedown. Estevam gets stonewalled, and Johnson works his way up and dings Estevam with an elbow and several body shots. Estevam gathers his energy, looks for a throw, and fails on it and stumbles away. Johnson lets him up and forces his foe to try another takedown, and he counters Estevam with a clean knee right on the face. Estevam shakes it off and tries for additional level changes, but Johnson is the fresher man and he defends one and turns to the side to snatch up Estevam’s neck with a schoolyard bulldog choke. Estevam turns his neck as Johnson lowers him to the ground with the submission setup, and Johnson pounds into Estevam’s head with his fist. Estevam escapes and attacks another takedown, and this results in stalemate against the fence. As time ticks off the clock, Tognoni decides they are not doing enough and separates them at the midpoint of the round. Johnson picks up where he left off, pressuring the undefeated fighter with body shots and mixing them up with strikes to the head. Johnson slams his elbow in Estevam’s face, and he keeps a torrid pace on his man that is slowing. Estevam shoots for a desperate takedown and is stood up, and he tries again. Johnson rips body shots and right hands over the top, and his elbows are included in the barrage that stand Estevam up. Johnson powers forward with a three-punch salvo, and he knocks Estevam’s head against the fencing. Johnson continues to walk Estevam down and work him over with strikes, and Estevam lands one in response. Estevam attempts one last takedown, and Johnson turns it around on him and rolls for a leglock. The fight ends in an unusual position, and it remains to be seen if it was enough for Johnson to stage the partial comeback to earn a 10-8 and force a draw.

Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Estevam)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Estevam)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Johnson (29-28 Estevam)

The Official Result
Rafael Estevam def. Charles Johnson via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)