Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates more than culture — it honors the grit, passion and dedication that shape communities.

For Albuquerque, New Mexico, native Steve “Mean Machine” Garcia, those qualities fuel every punch he throws and every step he takes toward the top of the UFC featherweight division as he climbs, now ranked No. 12th in the world.

Family, Faith and Grit

For Garcia, pride in his Hispanic roots isn’t just a phrase — it’s his origin story. One that taught him two essential qualities he deems necessary — yet rare — in the octagon.

"You gotta have a dog in you, " Garcia said, "and you got to be gritty.

"I like to think it has something to do with my heritage — that Mexican culture, the Hispanic culture. Like, we're just gritty."

From the lessons instilled by his father t

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