UFC Paris: Who is Cristian Quinonez?
By Alec Arritola
Dana White’s Contender Series 2021 alumni Cristian Quinonez is finally making his debut at UFC Paris.
Cristian Quinonez took his first professional mixed martial arts bout at the ripe age of 17. Nine years and 19 fights later, he will finally get the opportunity to shine on the most prominent MMA stage on the planet at UFC Paris.
“El Nino Problema” Quinonez (16-3) was signed to the UFC last year after obtaining a unanimous decision victory over Long Xiao (24-7) on Dana White’s Contender Series. Standing at 5’8, Quinonez is ranked as Tapology‘s No. 2 bantamweight in Latin America.
This Saturday at UFC Paris, Quinonez will be facing the toughest test of his career yet in Lebanese fighter “The Warrior” Khalid Taha. However, Taha (13-4) has not won a fight since he defeated Boston Salmon at UFC 236: Holloway vs. Poirier 2 in 2019.
Hailing from Tlaltenango de Sánchez Román, Mexico, Cristian Quinonez will look to make a statement at UFC Paris.
Of his 16 wins, Quinonez has finished 12, with nine knockouts and three submissions. He is currently on a four-fight win streak, fighting in promotions like the Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico and Gladiadores Fight League, where he was bantamweight champion in both.
Quinonez is affiliated with Delincuentes MMA, which also hosts his older brother Jose Alberto Quinonez-Navarro. Quinonez-Navarro is a former UFC bantamweight who appeared on The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America with Cain Velasquez, Daniel Cormier, and Luke Rockhold as his coaches.
The betting line is even for Quinonez at UFC Paris, as oddsmakers and fans think this will be a very close matchup.
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