Cristian Quiñónez
| Cristian Quiñónez | |
|---|---|
| Born | Cristian de Jesús Quiñónez Navarro April 26, 1996 Tlaltenango, Zacatecas, Mexico |
| Other names | Problema |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 61 kg (134 lb; 9 st 8 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Years active | 2013–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 24 |
| Wins | 19 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
Cristian de Jesús Quiñónez Navarro (born April 26, 1996) is a Mexican mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Previously, Quiñónez was the bantamweight champion in the Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico promotion.
Background
Cristian Quiñónez was born in Tlaltenango de Sánchez Román, in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico. From his teenage years, he began training in martial arts with his older brother, José Alberto.[1]
Mixed martial arts career
Ultimate Warrior Challenge México
On May 17, 2014, Quiñónez made his professional debut at the Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico's event UWC & EVT: Duarte vs. Beristaín, defeating Arnoldo Castillo by submission in the first round. He then recorded one win and one loss before moving to other promotions.
Brave Combat Federation
Quiñónez's first fights in a major promotion outside his native Mexico were with the fledgling Brave Combat Federation, based in Bahrain.[2] In his debut, he was scheduled to face Ahmed Faress on December 2, 2016, at Brave 2: Dynasty; he won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.[3]
On March 18, 2017, Quiñónez faced Cristiano Souza at the following event, Brave 3: Battle In Brazil. He lost the fight by technical knockout in the second round.[4]
Combate Americas
In 2018, Quiñónez joined Combate Americas to face Vinicius Oliveira at Combate Americas: Mexico vs. The World on May 18, winning the fight by TKO due to a medical stoppage in the second round.[5]
Quiñónez faced Víctor Madrigal on October 26, 2018, at Combate Americas: The Battle of Guadalajara. He lost the fight by submission in the third round after an armbar by Madrigal.[6]
Return to UWC
After a five-year hiatus, Quiñónez returned to UWC in late 2020, facing Erick Ruano on November 13 of that year at UWC Mexico 24 and securing a decisive first-round technical knockout victory.[7]
At UWC Mexico 25, held on February 26, 2021, Quiñónez headlined the event against Adonilton Matos. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[8]
Dana White's Contender Series
In October 2021, Quiñónez participated in the fifth season of Dana White's Contender Series (week 9) with the goal of entering the UFC. He faced Xiao Long on October 16, defeating him by unanimous decision and becoming one of the five fighters who earned a contract.[9][10]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Quiñónez was scheduled to face Youssef Zalal on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41. However, Quiñónez was forced out of the event due to visa issues and was replaced by Da'Mon Blackshear.[11]
Quiñónez made his UFC debut on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209 against Khalid Taha as a replacement for Taylor Lapilus.[12] He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.[13][14]
Quiñónez faced Kang Kyung-ho on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47.[15] He lost the fight by submission in the first round.[16]
Quiñónez faced Raoni Barcelos on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237.[17] He lost the fight, again by submission, this time in the third round.[18]
He was scheduled to face Adrian Yanez on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264,[19] but during the week leading up to the event, Quiñónez withdrew for unknown reasons, and the fight was canceled.[20]
Quiñónez faced Kris Moutinho on February 28, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 268.[21] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[22]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
| 24 matches | 19 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 2 |
| By submission | 3 | 3 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 19–5 | Kris Moutinho | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh | February 28, 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 18–5 | Raoni Barcelos | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2 | February 24, 2024 | 3 | 2:04 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 18–4 | Kang Kyung-ho | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ESPN: Vettori vs. Cannonier | June 23, 2023 | 1 | 2:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 18–3 | Khalid Taha | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa | September 3, 2022 | 1 | 3:15 | Paris, France | |
| Win | 17–3 | Xiao Long | Decision (unanimous) | Dana White's Contender Series 45 | October 26, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–3 | Donny Matos | Decision (unanimous) | UWC Mexico 25 | February 26, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Tijuana, Mexico | Won the vacant UWC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–3 | Erick Ruano Barrera | TKO (punches) | UWC Mexico 24 | November 13, 2020 | 1 | 4:58 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 14–3 | José Benito Solorzano | Decision (unanimous) | Gladiadores Fight League 2 | April 6, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Guatemala City, Guatemala | Catchweight (150 lb) bout. |
| Loss | 13–3 | Víctor Madrigal | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Combate 27 | October 26, 2018 | 3 | 2:14 | Guadalajara, Mexico | |
| Win | 13–2 | Vinicius Oliveira | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Combate 23 | May 18, 2018 | 2 | 0:44 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 12–2 | Ricardo Hernández | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Cabo Bato Fights MMA 1 | March 15, 2018 | 1 | 2:11 | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | |
| Win | 11–2 | Diego Illescas | TKO (punches) | Xtreme Fighters Latino 35 | August 18, 2017 | 2 | 3:05 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Loss | 10–2 | Cristiano Souza | TKO (punches) | Brave CF 3 | March 18, 2017 | 2 | 2:35 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 10–1 | Ahmed Faress | TKO (punches) | Brave CF 2 | December 2, 2016 | 2 | 2:46 | Isa Town, Bahrain | |
| Win | 9–1 | Matías Vásquez | Decision (split) | Xtreme Fighters Latino: CDMX October 2016 | October 14, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Mexico City, Mexico | |
| Win | 8–1 | Héctor Valenzuela | Submission | MV Promotions: Glory Fight 2 | August 27, 2016 | 3 | N/A | Tijuana, Mexico | Won the Glory Fight Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 7–1 | Fernando Rodríguez | Decision (unanimous) | The Supreme Cage 6 | October 2, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 6–1 | Agustín Alamillo | TKO (punches) | UWC Mexico 14 | June 25, 2015 | 2 | 2:13 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 5–1 | Willy Martinez | TKO (punches) | World Best Gladiators 7 | March 27, 2015 | 2 | 2:13 | Delicias, Mexico | Return to Bantamweight. Won the interim WBG Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 4–1 | José Ruelas | TKO (punches) | UWC & EVT: Sánchez vs. Castillo | October 18, 2014 | 3 | 0:57 | Tijuana, Mexico | Lightweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Arnoldo Castillo | Submission (armbar) | UWC & EVT: Duarte vs. Beristaín | May 17, 2014 | 1 | 2:08 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 3–0 | Gastón Manzur | TKO (retirement) | Jungle Fight 69 | May 3, 2014 | 2 | 5:00 | Itu, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Oscar Galván | TKO (retirement) | Combate Extremo: Solo Los Más Fuertes | October 5, 2013 | 1 | 5:00 | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Win | 1–0 | Diego Pérez | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Fight Club México 3 | August 2, 2013 | 2 | N/A | Aguascalientes, Mexico | Bantamweight debut. |
References
- ^ "Cristian Quiñonez: Conocimiento de MMA lo saca de su hermano José 'Teco' Quiñonez". MedioTiempo. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Ahmed Faress takes on Cristian Quinonez at Brave 2". Arabs MMA. 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Brave 2 Recap: Booth Is A Bomber; Azaitar, Kooheji, Selawi, Boudegzdame Shine". Arabs MMA. 2016-12-04. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Cristiano Souza defeats Cristian Quiñónez". Tapology. 2017-03-18. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Trujillo, Gladys (2018-05-18). "Cristian Quiñónez vence a Vinicius Oliveira en Combate Américas". SuperLuchas. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Samano, Simon (2018-10-27). "Video: Insane armbar elicits F-bomb from Combate Americas commentator". MMAJunkie. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "UWC Mexico 25: Cristian Quiñónez defeats Erick Ruano". Tapology. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Retiene Quiñonez campeonato Gallo en UWC 25". Semanario ZETA. 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "Cristian Quiñónez y Manuel Torres se unirán a la UFC". Milenio. 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Staff (2021-10-26). "Dana White's Contender Series Season 5, Week 9 Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2022-08-03). "CFFC bantamweight champ Da'Mon Blackshear signs with UFC, faces Youssef Zalal in San Diego". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
- ^ "Tapilus lesionado, Cristian Quinonez enfrenta a Khalid Taha en UFC París - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español". mma.uno (in Spanish). 2022-08-25. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Richardson, Andrew (2022-09-03). "UFC Paris highlights: Cristian Quinonez stops Khalid Taha in the first round for debut victory". MMA Mania. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Impresionante victoria del mexicano Cristian Quiñonez por TKO en su debut en UFC". FOX Sports Deportes. 2022-09-03. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Kyung Ho Kang faces Christian Quinonez on June 17th". Asian MMA. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2023-06-17). "UFC Vegas 75: 'Mr. Perfect' Kang Kyung-Ho Clubs n' Subs Cristian Quiñonez In Round One". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ "Cristian Quiñonez vs Raoni Barcelos Reported for UFC Mexico City". www.itnwwe.com. 2024-01-10. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Dewar, Val (2024-02-24). "UFC Mexico City: Raoni Barcelos Submits Cristian Quiñonez in Round Three of Wild Fight". www.cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Ricardo Mayorga (2025-09-26). "El Problema Quiñónez por fin tiene el ansiado regreso a UFC". ntrzacatecas.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Alexander Behunin (2025-11-04). "Double trouble: UFC Vegas 111's already weak fight card suffers two last-second cancelations (Updated)". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2026-03-01.
- ^ Bohn, Mike. "UFC Fight Night 268 adds new bouts: Kris Moutinho seeks first UFC win". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
- ^ Cagle, Brett (2026-02-28). "UFC Mexico City: Cristian Quinonez Outworks Kris Moutinho in Return". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2026-03-06.