Javier Vazquez

In mid-2017, Vazquez was diagnosed with colon cancer. Subsequently, he had a tumor removed from his intestines but as of August 2017, and he is not doing chemotherapy treatment.

On January 13, 2013, Vazquez announced on Sherdog Radio Network's Rewind show that he has officially retired from MMA competition.

In October 2010, WEC merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC. Vazquez defeated The Ultimate Fighter 2 winner and former lightweight title contender Joe Stevenson via unanimous decision on June 26, 2011, at UFC on Versus 4.

Vazquez faced and defeated former UFC Lightweight Champion and former WEC featherweight title challenger Jens Pulver via armbar on March 6, 2010, at WEC 47. He defeated decorated grappler Mackens Semerzier via second round submission on August 18, 2010, at WEC 50. Vazquez was defeated by Chad Mendes via unanimous decision on November 11, 2010, at WEC 52.

In December 2009, Vazquez was named the "most inspirational performance of the decade" in MMA by Sports Illustrated magazine for his fight against Alberto Crane where he fought three rounds with a torn ACL. He went on to fight for Elite XC and was able to break free from his contract before the company folded. He signed to fight against LC Davis at Affliction: Trilogy, but the event folded 10 days before the fight was supposed to take place.

On June 22, 2005, Vazquez married Rose Gracie, the daughter of Rorion Gracie and granddaughter of Helio Gracie. Rose is the creator and main force behind the submission only movement in jiu-jitsu referred to as subonly. She hosts several jiu-jitsu competitions throughout the year through her organization, Gracie Tournaments. Gracie has been very outspoken about jiu-jitsu's current rule set problems and has pressured other members of the community to make changes in the sport. Rose and her sister Riane are the only members of the Gracie Family that have both parents being in the Gracie family. Vazquez and Gracie have two daughters. They co-owned and co-operated a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California. Vazquez and Rose separated in February 2017

In 1997, Vazquez started learning jiu-jitsu with the renowned Carlson Gracie Team. He competed in every jiu-jitsu and submission tournament he could and eventually found himself participating in mixed martial arts (MMA). His first no-holds-barred matches were at Neutral Grounds 5 in 1998. Several more fights in smaller venues followed, and he then took time off from fighting to train and compete in jiu-jitsu. After only five years of training, he earned his black belt from the Carlson Gracie Team. In 2005, Vazquez won the North American trials for the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, but dropped out before competition due to a groin injury.

Luis Javier Vazquez (born April 27, 1976) is a retired Cuban-American mixed martial artist. A professional from 1998 until 2011, he competed for the UFC, WEC, Shooto, ShoXC, EliteXC, and King of the Cage. He is the former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion.

Born in Santiago, Cuba, on April 27, 1976, Javier Vazquez came to the United States at the age of four. He grew up in El Monte, California, and started wrestling as a sophomore at Arroyo High School at the age of 15. In 1994, he placed 3rd at the CIF wrestling tournament and continued his stellar high school career by placing 4th in the Southern Section Masters tournament. He was just one match away from placing in the high school state wrestling championships, ending up in the top 12 in the state at 130 lbs. He was voted team captain in both his junior and senior years. He continued his wrestling career at Mt. San Antonio College where he again proved himself to be one of "the best of the best" by finishing 7th in the state and being voted team captain for his leadership on and off the mat.