Rafael da Silva Alves[2] (born November 14, 1990) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Rafael Alves, originally from Icoaraci in greater Belém, started his athletic journey as a disciplined young soccer player with dreams of going professional.
A businessman in Miami helped him secure a fight, and after an impressive winning streak, he caught the attention of UFC president Dana White.
Despite the tragedies of losing his parents; his mother to cancer and his father after he was run over by a car, he remains dedicated to helping his family and friends in Brazil.
[9][10] On February 19 it was announced that Alves missed weight by 11.5 pounds over featherweight non-title fight limit, with the bout eventually being scrapped.