Rafael “Macapá” Estevam was born on August 10, 1996, in Macapá, Amapá, Brazil. Growing up in a working‑class family, he developed an early interest in martial arts, beginning with Brazilian jiu‑jitsu and Muay Thai at local gyms. His dedication to training and natural athleticism laid the foundation for his future in mixed martial arts, combining strong grappling fundamentals with evolving striking skills.
Estevam made his professional MMA debut in 2015, competing primarily in Shooto Brazil and other regional promotions. He quickly built an undefeated record through a combination of submissions and TKOs, earning recognition as a promising flyweight prospect. His breakthrough came in 2022 at Dana White’s Contender Series, where he secured a second‑round TKO victory over Joao Elias, impressing with his relentless top control and ground‑and‑pound to earn a UFC contract.
He debuted in the UFC in November 2023, defeating Charles Johnson by unanimous decision, and followed it with another win over Jesus Aguilar in February 2025. Known for his technical grappling and composure inside the cage, Estevam remains unbeaten in his professional career and continues to rise as a contender in the flyweight division.