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Julio Arce
Julio Arce
Julio Arce
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Julio Arce (born October 27, 1989) is an American mixed martial artist. He was the former Ring of Combat bantamweight and featherweight champion. He also won the Golden Gloves 2011 Championship.[2] Arce competed in the Bantamweight division in the UFC.

Key Information

Background

[edit]

Arce was born in Florida but moved to Colombia as a child, returning stateside around the age of ten.[3] He graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School and got his associate degree in business afterwards.[1][4]

At fourteen and weighing 200 pounds, Arce joined Team Tiger Schulmann combat gym to lose weight.[5] He started training, competed in kickboxing, and won the New York Golden Gloves championship in 2011 in boxing prior to transitioning to MMA in 2012.[6]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Arce started his professional MMA career in 2012 and fought most of his fights in Ring of Combat promotion and he was the bantamweight[7][8][9] and featherweight champion.[10][11][12] He amassed a record of 8–1 before signed by UFC.[13]

Dana White's Contender Series

[edit]

Arce appeared in Dana White's Contender Series 5 web series program. He faced Peter Petties and won the fight via technical knockout.[14] Even with the win, Arce was not awarded a UFC contract at that event. However, he was later signed by the UFC on short notice to replace an injured Charles Rosa at UFC 220.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

[edit]

Arce made his UFC debut on January 20, 2018, against Dan Ige, replacing an injured Charles Rosa at UFC 220.[15] He won the fight via unanimous decision with the scoreboard of (30-27, 30–27, 29–28).[16]

His next fight came on June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131 against Daniel Teymur.[17] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the third round.[18]

Arce faced Sheymon Moraes on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230.[19] He lost the fight via split decision.[20]

Arce faced Julian Erosa on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 152.[21] He won the fight via knockout in the third round.[22]

Arce faced Hakeem Dawodu on November 2, 2019, at UFC 244.[23] He lost the fight by a split decision.[24]

Arce was expected to face Timur Valiev on a bantamweight bout on February 6, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 184.[25] However, Arce was removed from the event in late January due to undisclosed reasons and replaced by Martin Day.[26]

Arce faced Andre Ewell on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw.[27] He won in the second round via technical knockout.[28]

Arce faced Song Yadong on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197.[29] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two.[30]

As the first fight of his new four-fight contract, Arce faced Daniel Santos on April 9, 2022, at UFC 273.[31][3] At the weigh-ins, Arce weighed in at 136.5 pounds, half a pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceed at a catchweight and he will forfeit 20% of his purse which will go to his opponent Daniel Santos.[32] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[33]

Arce faced Montel Jackson on November 12, 2022, at UFC 281.[34] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[35]

Arce was scheduled to face Cody Garbrandt on March 4, 2023, at UFC 285.[36] However, Arce withdrew in late January due to a knee injury and was replaced by Trevin Jones.[37][38]

Arce faced Herbert Burns on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54.[39] At the weigh ins, Arce weighed in at 147.25 pounds, one and a quarter pounds over the featherweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20 percent of his purse which went to his opponent Burns.[40] Arce won the fight via technical knockout in round two.[41]

Global Fight League

[edit]

On January 24, 2025, it was announced that Arce had parted ways with the UFC and signed with the Global Fight League.[42] However, in April 2025, it was reported that all GFL events were cancelled indefinitely.[43]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]
  • Ring of Combat
    • Ring of Combat Bantamweight Champion (one time; former)[44][45][9]
      • Three successful title defenses
    • Right of Combat Featherweight Champion (one time; former)[10][11][12]
      • Two successful title defenses

Boxing

[edit]
  • Golden Gloves
    • Golden Gloves 2011 Champion[46]

Personal life

[edit]

Arce is a head instructor at the Tiger Schulmann’s Bayside location in Queens, NY.[1]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
27 matches 21 wins 6 losses
By knockout 7 1
By submission 5 1
By decision 9 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 21–6 Wilson Reis KO (punch) Victory Fighting League: Clash of the Champions October 24, 2025 1 2:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 20–6 Sheymon Moraes Decision (unanimous) Victory Fighting League: Battle of the Burroughs August 15, 2025 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 19–6 Herbert Burns TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot March 30, 2024 2 2:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Return to Featherweight; Arce missed weight (147.25 lb). Burns was deducted one point in round 1 due to repeated illegal groin strikes.
Loss 18–6 Montel Jackson Decision (unanimous) UFC 281 November 12, 2022 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 18–5 Daniel Santos Decision (unanimous) UFC 273 April 9, 2022 3 5:00 Jacksonville, Florida, United States Catchweight (136.5 lb) bout; Arce missed weight.
Loss 17–5 Song Yadong TKO (head kick and punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Rodríguez November 13, 2021 2 1:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 17–4 Andre Ewell TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw July 24, 2021 2 3:45 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 16–4 Hakeem Dawodu Decision (split) UFC 244 November 2, 2019 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 16–3 Julian Erosa KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee May 18, 2019 3 1:49 Rochester, New York, United States
Loss 15–3 Sheymon Moraes Decision (split) UFC 230 November 3, 2018 3 5:00 New York City, New York, United States
Win 15–2 Daniel Teymur Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Rivera vs. Moraes June 1, 2018 3 2:55 Utica, New York, United States
Win 14–2 Dan Ige Decision (unanimous) UFC 220 January 20, 2018 3 5:00 Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Win 13–2 Peter Petties TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 5 August 8, 2017 2 2:39 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 12–2 Tim Dooling Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 59 June 2, 2017 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Featherweight Championship.
Win 11–2 Frank Buenafuente Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 58 February 24, 2017 2 3:59 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Featherweight Championship.
Win 10–2 Frank Buenafuente Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 57 November 18, 2016 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the Ring of Combat Featherweight Championship.
Win 9–2 Francisco Isata Submission (rear-naked choke) Cage Fury FC 60 August 6, 2016 2 3:16 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Featherweight debut.
Loss 8–2 Brian Kelleher Submission (guillotine choke) Ring of Combat 54 March 4, 2016 3 0:18 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States For the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Loss 8–1 Brian Kelleher Decision (majority) Ring of Combat 52 September 25, 2015 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Lost the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 8–0 Michael Imperato Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 51 June 5, 2015 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 7–0 Thomas Vasquez TKO (punches) Ring of Combat 50 January 23, 2015 3 3:46 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 6–0 Jake Grigson Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 49 September 19, 2014 1 2:20 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Defended the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 5–0 Jason McLean Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 47 January 24, 2014 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won the Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship.
Win 4–0 Corey Simmons Submission (rear-naked hoke) Ring of Combat 46 September 20, 2013 2 3:49 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 3–0 Dennis Dombrow Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 45 June 14, 2013 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 2–0 Umaer Haq Decision (unanimous) Xtreme Caged Combat: Backlash November 2, 2012 3 5:00 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win 1–0 Kenneth Nagle KO (punches) Matrix Fights 6 July 13, 2012 1 1:46 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Bantamweight debut.

[13]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Julio Arce

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Julio Arce is an American professional mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the (UFC) division. Born on October 27, 1989, in the United States, Arce has a professional MMA record of 21 wins and 6 losses, with 7 victories by knockout or technical knockout, 5 by submission, and 9 by decision. A southpaw fighter standing 5 feet 7 inches tall with a 70-inch reach, he earned his UFC contract through a win on in August 2017. Prior to joining the UFC, Arce captured the Ring of Combat title in 2015 and the title in 2016, establishing himself as a two-division champion in the regional promotion. Arce made his UFC debut in January 2018, defeating by unanimous decision at , and compiled a 6-4 record in the promotion before parting ways with the UFC in February 2025. His highlights include a second-round TKO victory over in March 2024 at UFC on ESPN 54 and a unanimous decision win over Daniel Santos in April 2022 at UFC 273. Notable setbacks include a first-round TKO loss to in November 2021 at UFC Fight Night 197 and a unanimous decision defeat to in November 2022 at . Arce trains at Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts in New York, where he holds a second-degree black belt in MMA and also serves as an instructor. His amateur background features undefeated records in and , including a 2011 boxing championship. Following his UFC release, Arce signed with the Global Fight League in January 2025, though its events were cancelled; he then competed in the Victory Fighting League, securing a unanimous decision win over Sheymon Moraes in August 2025 and a first-round knockout victory over Wilson Reis in October 2025, extending his win streak to three fights. As of November 2025, Arce is ranked #74 among featherweight MMA fighters worldwide. Known for his freestyle fighting style and resilience, Arce continues to compete at 145 pounds while contributing to martial arts instruction in New Jersey and New York.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Upbringing

Julio Arce was born on October 27, 1989, in Miami, Florida. His family relocated to during his early childhood, where he spent a couple of years living a relatively active lifestyle that kept him thin. At around age eight or nine, Arce returned to the with his family, settling in , New York. Upon arriving in New York, Arce's circumstances changed, leading to significant weight gain and struggles with in his pre-teen and early teen years. By age 14, he stood at 5 feet 5 inches and weighed 200 pounds, often attributing this to his enjoyment of food and a less active routine. These challenges motivated him toward physical activity as a means of , shaping his formative years. Arce's Colombian heritage, rooted in his father's origins from the Pacific region of , provided a cultural foundation during his time abroad and influenced family dynamics even after the move. His family, including an older named , played a pivotal role in his upbringing; she introduced him to , sparking his initial interest in the discipline as a practical solution to his weight issues.

Education and Pre-Combat Career

Julio Arce grew up in the Bayside neighborhood of , New York, and attended . After high school, Arce enrolled in college, where he studied for two years and earned an in . With his business education complete, Arce initially considered professional opportunities in that field but ultimately shifted his focus to full-time training and instruction, marking the end of his pre-combat career phase.

Introduction to Combat Sports

Boxing Involvement

Julio Arce, who joined Team Tiger Schulmann's Martial Arts in , New York, at age 12 for , shifted his focus to around age 14 to address his weight issues as an overweight teenager. Introduced to the gym by his sister, Arce, who weighed around 200 pounds at the time, found to be an effective outlet for physical transformation and personal growth, quickly developing a passion for the discipline under the guidance of instructors at the renowned facility. Arce's commitment to boxing extended into competitive amateur bouts, showcasing his rapid progress and technical aptitude. His efforts peaked with a standout performance at the 2011 New York Golden Gloves Championship, a prestigious amateur boxing tournament. Competing in the 141-pound novice division, the 21-year-old Arce secured the victory by outpointing 26-year-old opponent David Green in the finals, earning the championship title through superior ring control and precise striking. This accomplishment not only marked Arce's emergence as a promising amateur boxer but also underscored boxing's pivotal role in cultivating his foundational striking skills, including footwork, punch combinations, and defensive maneuvers that emphasized timing and power. These elements became integral to his overall combat foundation, providing a strong base that facilitated his later exploration of broader combat sports disciplines.

Transition to Mixed Martial Arts

After achieving success in amateur boxing, including a 2011 Golden Gloves victory, Julio Arce shifted his focus to to expand his combat sports repertoire. He began his MMA-specific training at Team Tiger Schulmann in , New York, under the guidance of Daniel "Tiger" Schulmann, the organization's founder and a prominent instructor. This transition was influenced by Arce's prior training at the same gym, which he started at age 12 to address weight issues and build confidence, providing a foundation for integrating striking skills into a broader MMA framework. Schulmann and the Team coaches played a key role in adapting Arce's prowess—characterized by sharp footwork and power—to the demands of MMA, emphasizing defense, takedown integration, and cage awareness during sessions. Arce's MMA career, which commenced around age 18, was undefeated, allowing him to hone these hybrid skills through exhibition and competitive fights against regional opponents. He also maintained an undefeated record in . These experiences built his resilience and versatility, preparing him for the professional level. By 2012, following his dominant amateur record and refined technique under Schulmann's tutelage, Arce decided to pursue MMA professionally, debuting in July of that year with a victory. This move marked a deliberate evolution from pure , leveraging his striking base while embracing the multifaceted nature of MMA.

Professional MMA Career

Early Professional Fights (2012–2017)

Julio Arce made his professional MMA debut on July 13, 2012, at Matrix Fights 6, defeating Kenneth Nagle via first-round in a bout, marking the start of his career in the Northeast regional circuit. Following this, Arce secured victories in his next three fights, including a over Umaer Haq at Xtreme Caged Combat: Backlash in November 2012, a against Dennis Dombrow at Ring of Combat 45 in June 2013, and a second-round rear-naked choke submission against Corey Simmons at Ring of Combat 46 in September 2013, building an undefeated 4-0 record with a mix of striking and submission skills. Arce captured the Ring of Combat bantamweight championship on January 24, 2014, at Ring of Combat 47, defeating Jason McLean via to improve to 5-0. He defended the title first against Jake Grigson via first-round rear-naked choke submission at Ring of Combat 49 in September 2014, then against Thomas Vasquez via third-round TKO (punches) at Ring of Combat 50 in January 2015, and against Michael Imperato via at Ring of Combat 51 in June 2015, reaching an 8-0 record and establishing himself as a dominant force in the division. However, his unbeaten streak ended in September 2015 at Ring of Combat 52, where he lost the title via majority decision to in a closely contested championship bout. A rematch with Kelleher at Ring of Combat 54 in March 2016 resulted in another loss for Arce, this time by third-round submission, prompting a shift to the division later that year. Competing at 145 pounds, Arce rebounded with a second-round rear-naked choke submission over Isata at 60 in August 2016. He then challenged for the Ring of Combat title in November 2016 at Ring of Combat 57, earning a victory over Frank Buenafuente, followed by a successful title defense via second-round rear-naked choke against the same opponent at Ring of Combat 58 in February 2017. Arce closed out the period with a win over Tim Dooling at Ring of Combat 59 in June 2017, finishing the 2012–2017 stretch with a 12-2 professional record.

Dana White's Contender Series

Dana White's Contender Series, launched in 2017, functions as a premier talent scouting platform for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where promising mixed martial artists compete in weekly events to vie for UFC contracts based on their performances. Entering the series on a professional record of 12-2, Julio Arce competed in Week 5 of Season 1 on August 8, 2017, at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, facing fellow featherweight Peter Petties in a bout that showcased his path toward the UFC. The fight began with Petties gaining an early edge in the first round, landing heavy punches including a left hand and right hook to jam Arce against the fence, followed by Thai plum knees and elbows from the clinch, while Arce absorbed damage but reversed positions to counter with hard left hands. In the second round, Arce shifted momentum through aggressive pressure, delivering combinations to the head and body that stung Petties, leading to a left hand that staggered his opponent and prompted a takedown; Arce then unleashed ground-and-pound punches to secure a TKO victory at 2:39. This resilient comeback highlighted Arce's striking precision, ability to reverse unfavorable positions, and finishing power under pressure. Although Arce's dominant finish impressed observers, he was not offered a UFC immediately after the event. Several months later, in early January 2018, Arce was signed to the promotion, marking his entry into the UFC roster.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (2018–2024)

Julio Arce made his debut on January 20, 2018, at in , , where he earned a victory over after three rounds, with scores of 29-28 across all judges. This appearance followed his successful performance on in August 2017, which earned him a UFC . Arce competed primarily in division throughout his UFC tenure, showcasing a mix of striking and skills, though he faced challenges with consistent finishes and . Arce's early UFC run showed promise with back-to-back wins. On June 1, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 131 in , he submitted via rear-naked choke in the third round at 2:55, marking his first finish in the promotion. However, momentum stalled on November 3, 2018, at in , where he dropped a to (28-29, 29-28, 28-29). He rebounded on May 18, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 152 in , delivering a standout of with a head kick at 1:49 of the third round, a performance that highlighted his striking power and earned widespread praise. This victory was part of a notable matchup, as Erosa had been a durable veteran, making Arce's finish a career highlight. The following year brought mixed results. On November 2, 2019, at in , Arce lost a closely contested to (28-29, 29-28, 29-28). After a layoff due to injuries, including double elbow surgery, Arce returned on July 24, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 27 in , , securing a second-round TKO over via punches at 3:45. His streak ended abruptly on November 13, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 197 in , when stopped him with a head kick and punches at 1:35 of the second round. Arce encountered weight challenges in subsequent bouts. On April 9, 2022, at in , he weighed in 1.25 pounds over the featherweight limit, leading to a fight where he defeated Daniel Santos by (30-27 x3). He continued at on November 12, 2022, at in , but lost a to (30-27 x2, 29-28). After another extended absence, Arce faced further weight trouble on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54 in , coming in at 147.25 pounds—over the limit—for a bout, yet he prevailed with a second-round TKO against via punches at 2:00. Over his UFC career from 2018 to 2024, Arce compiled a 6-4 record across 10 fights, with three /TKO wins, one submission victory, and two decisions in wins; losses came via three decisions and one TKO. His performances demonstrated resilience and finishing ability in key moments, such as the Erosa , though weight misses and inconsistent decision outcomes impacted his progression in the division.
DateEventOpponentResultMethodRoundTime
January 20, 2018Win (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)35:00
June 1, 2018UFC Fight Night 131WinSubmission (Rear-Naked Choke)32:55
November 3, 2018Loss (28-29, 29-28, 28-29)35:00
May 18, 2019UFC Fight Night 152WinKO (Head Kick)31:49
November 2, 2019Loss (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)35:00
July 24, 2021UFC on ESPN 27WinTKO (Punches)23:45
November 13, 2021UFC Fight Night 197LossTKO (Head Kick and Punches)21:35
April 9, 2022Daniel SantosWin (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)35:00
November 12, 2022Loss (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)35:00
March 30, 2024UFC on ESPN 54WinTKO (Punches)22:00

Post-UFC Developments (2025)

Following the cancellation of the Global Fight League's debut events in April 2025, Julio Arce transitioned to the Victory Fighting League (VFL), where he made his promotional debut on August 15, 2025, at VFL: Battle of the Burroughs in , . In his VFL debut, Arce faced fellow UFC veteran in the main event and secured a victory after three rounds, improving his professional record to 20-6. This win marked Arce's first bout outside the UFC since his release earlier in the year. Arce returned to action on October 24, 2025, at VFL: Clash of the Champions at Terminal 5 in , where he delivered a first-round victory over via punch at 2:00. The stoppage extended his to three fights and updated his overall professional record to 21-6. As of November 2025, Arce has no announced upcoming fights, though he remains active in the regional MMA scene with VFL, expressing interest in continuing his career at .

Championships and Achievements

Mixed Martial Arts Titles

Julio Arce captured the vacant Ring of Combat (ROC) Championship on January 24, 2014, defeating Jason McLean via (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) in the main event of ROC 47 at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in . This victory marked Arce's fifth professional win and established him as a dominant force in the regional promotion's 135-pound division. Arce made three successful defenses of the title between 2014 and 2015. His first defense came on September 19, 2014, against Jake Grigson at ROC 49, where he secured a first-round submission via rear-naked choke at 2:20. He followed with a second defense on January 23, 2015, stopping Thomas Vasquez via TKO (punches) in the third round at 3:46 during ROC 50. The third and final defense occurred on June 5, 2015, against Michael Imperato at ROC 51, earning a (30-27 across all cards). Arce lost the title in his next outing on September 25, 2015, dropping a (29-28, 29-28, 28-28) to at ROC 52. Transitioning to featherweight, Arce won the ROC Featherweight Championship on November 18, 2016, defeating defending champion Frank Buenafuente via (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in the main event of ROC 57. This made him a two-division champion in the promotion. He defended the title twice: first in a rematch against Buenafuente on February 24, 2017, at ROC 58, submitting him via rear-naked choke in the second round at 3:59; and second against Tim Dooling on June 2, 2017, at ROC 59, winning by (30-27 across all cards). Arce vacated the featherweight title upon signing with the later in 2017. These regional titles underscored Arce's versatility across weight classes and his finishing ability, with four of his nine ROC wins coming inside the distance, which bolstered his profile and led to his selection for in 2017, paving the way for his UFC contract.

Boxing and Other Honors

Arce began his competitive combat sports journey in , achieving significant success in the amateur ranks. In 2011, he captured the New York Golden Gloves championship in the 141-pound novice division, defeating Gilberto Sanchez by (5-0) in the semifinals and David Green by the same score in the finals at . This victory marked his first major tournament accolade and highlighted his early striking prowess, though no additional honors from that period are recorded. Beyond , Arce extended his achievements into with a notable performance under promotion. He secured a second-round technical knockout victory in a bout at , completing a personal trifecta of wins across , , and later MMA at the iconic venue. In , Arce has earned non-championship recognitions through consistent rankings in the division. As of November 2025, after departing the UFC in early 2025, he holds the #71 position among top fighters in Tapology's community rankings, reflecting his sustained competitiveness. These honors, rooted in his foundation, have enhanced Arce's credibility as a versatile striker, influencing his transition and reputation in professional combat sports.

Personal Life and Training

Training Background and Black Belt

Julio Arce began his journey at the age of 12, joining 's Martial Arts (TSK) in , initially focusing on to address childhood and weight issues. His affiliation with Team has been long-term, spanning over two decades, during which he transitioned into (MMA) training around age 14 and began competing shortly thereafter. This early immersion at TSK provided a foundational environment for developing his combat skills under the guidance of founder Daniel "Tiger" Schulmann. Arce earned his second-degree black belt in MMA directly under Daniel "Tiger" Schulmann, recognizing his proficiency and dedication within the TSK system. This rank highlights his expertise in blending striking and techniques, a hallmark of the school's curriculum. Arce's training philosophy centers on creating a well-rounded fighter through the seamless integration of for precise stand-up striking, wrestling for takedown control and ground positioning, and jiu-jitsu for submission defense and offense. He has emphasized in interviews that this holistic approach not only enhances versatility in the cage but also builds mental resilience, drawing from his own evolution from novice to professional. In terms of routines, Arce follows rigorous daily sessions during non-camp periods, incorporating strength and conditioning alongside drills at TSK facilities, often lasting several hours to maintain peak conditioning. For fight camps, he intensifies this to approximately three hours per day over 12 weeks, focusing on , technique refinement, and recovery protocols tailored to his division demands, as shared in pre-fight discussions. This structured regimen underscores his commitment to continuous improvement within the Team framework.

Coaching Role and Community Impact

Julio Arce serves as the head instructor and co-owner of ’s Martial Arts in , New York, where he has been deeply involved in training and developing martial artists of all ages. In this role, Arce draws from his own journey as a second-degree black belt to guide students, emphasizing techniques in , , and jiu-jitsu that promote and mental resilience. Arce's mentoring extends particularly to young fighters and students, where he focuses on building confidence, self-discipline, and healthy habits, including weight management through structured martial arts programs at the gym. His personal transformation from an overweight, bullied 12-year-old to a professional fighter serves as a motivational example, helping students navigate similar challenges by integrating fitness routines that support weight loss and overall health. He conducts children's kickboxing classes and competition seminars, fostering skills that extend beyond the mat to everyday life. Through his coaching, Arce has made a notable community impact in Queens by inspiring local youth to pursue martial arts as a pathway to personal growth and empowerment. His involvement in outreach efforts at Tiger Schulmann’s promotes anti-bullying initiatives and youth development, encouraging participants to build strength and discipline in a supportive environment. As of November 2025, Arce balances this coaching commitment with his active fighting career, having transitioned from the UFC to compete in the Victory Fighting League, where he has secured recent victories including a unanimous decision over Sheymon Moraes in August and a first-round knockout of Wilson Reis in October. This dual role allows him to continue mentoring while exemplifying dedication to the sport.

References

  1. https://www.ufc.com/athlete/julio-arce
  2. https://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Julio-Arce-71299
  3. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/5-Things-You-Might-Not-Know-About-Julio-Arce-185761
  4. https://mymmanews.com/ring-of-combat-57-results/
  5. https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/ufc-releases-6-fighters-from-roster-including-veterans-winning-records
  6. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/30552-julio-arce
  7. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/bio/_/id/4227122/julio-arce
  8. https://nypost.com/2022/03/30/julio-arce-queens-gym-owner-ready-for-next-challenge-at-ufc-273/
  9. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2018/01/22/pudgy-fat-kid-to-octagon-ufc-220-julio-arce-inspires-others-mma/82244434007/
  10. https://colombiaone.com/2025/08/16/colombia-ufc-mma-fighters/
  11. https://qns.com/2011/04/bayside-fighter-pushes-through-to-golden-gloves-finals/
  12. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2569788-the-beaten-path-julio-arce-is-new-yorks-newest-mma-prospect
  13. https://tsk.com/born-bred-julio-arce-interview/
  14. http://queensberry-rules.com/2011-articles/ny-daily-news-golden-gloves-doesnt-disappoint.html
  15. https://tsk.com/fighter/julio-arce/
  16. https://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/this-bayside-sensei-is-ready-to-rumble/article_bac8294c-6ea8-5173-8caa-a34414ff31ff.html
  17. https://louneglia.com/ring-of-combat/unbeaten-streak-of-julio-arce-ends-at-roc-52
  18. https://www.ufc.com/dwcs
  19. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/320286-dana-whites-contender-series-5-julio-arce-vs-peter-the-joker-petties
  20. https://www.mmamania.com/2017/8/8/16113180/ufc-contender-series-5-results-live-stream-play-by-play-updates-online-dana-white-mma
  21. https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/8/8/16116544/dana-whites-tuesday-night-contender-series-5-results-mike-rodriguez-alex-perez-latest-ufc-signees
  22. http://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/1291edf2d566a71a
  23. https://www.[sherdog](/page/Sherdog).com/fighter/Julio-Arce-71299
  24. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/mma/2025/04/09/global-fight-league-inaugural-events-canceled-may-los-angeles/83020328007/
  25. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Victory-Fighting-League-Battle-of-the-Burroughs-109125
  26. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/10/30/ufc-veterans-competing-mma-karate-custom-rules-oct-30-nov-2/86970423007/
  27. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/116490-ring-of-combat-47-julio-arce-vs-jason-magic-mclean
  28. https://www.sherdog.com/events/ROC-47-Ring-of-Combat-47-35375
  29. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/151665-ring-of-combat-49-julio-arce-vs-jake-the-irish-hammer-grigson
  30. https://www.sherdog.com/events/ROC-50-Ring-of-Combat-50-41305
  31. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/177518-ring-of-combat-50-julio-arce-vs-thomas-the-die-hard-kidd-vasquez
  32. https://www.sherdog.com/events/ROC-51-Ring-of-Combat-51-44593
  33. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/188408-ring-of-combat-51-julio-arce-vs-michael-imperato
  34. https://www.sherdog.com/events/ROC-52-Ring-of-Combat-52-47363
  35. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/223446-ring-of-combat-52-brian-boom-kelleher-vs-julio-arce
  36. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/278374-ring-of-combat-57-julio-arce-vs-frank-buenafuente
  37. https://www.sherdog.com/events/ROC-58-Ring-of-Combat-58-58267
  38. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/288526-ring-of-combat-58-julio-arce-vs-frank-the-mantis-buenafuente-ii
  39. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/313244-ring-of-combat-59-julio-arce-vs-tim-dooling
  40. https://qns.com/2011/03/bayside-boxer-headed-to-golden-gloves-finals/
  41. https://qns.com/2011/04/fighter-from-bayside-dojo-wins-golden-gloves-at-the-garden/
  42. https://www.ufc.com/news/patient-arce-taking-it-one-fight-time
  43. https://mmasucka.com/julio-arce-the-unlikely-ufc-bantamweight-mainstay/
  44. https://www.facebook.com/TigerSchulmanns/posts/julio-arce-is-the-pinnacle-of-making-it-he-started-fighting-at-14-years-old-and-/1326828218893480/
  45. https://tsk.com/fight-team/
  46. https://nutrabio.com/blogs/blog/ufc-fight-night-preview-nutrabio-athlete-julio-arce
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nlNcpUDhAw
  48. https://tsk.com/jiu-jitsu-classes/queens-bayside-jiu-jitsu/
  49. https://tsk.com/jiu-jitsu-classes/freshmeadows-jiu-jitsu/
  50. https://www.instagram.com/p/CUGUl8_JMeY/
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