Cristian de Jesús Quiñónez

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

At UWC Mexico 25, held on February 26, 2021, Quiñónez headlined the event against Adonilton Matos. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

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.

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.

Quiñónez made his UFC debut on September 3, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 209 against Khalid Taha as a replacement for Taylor Lapilus. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Quiñónez faced Kang Kyung-ho on June 17, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 47. He lost the fight by submission in the first round.

Quiñónez faced Raoni Barcelos on February 24, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 237. He lost the fight, again by submission, this time in the third round.

He was scheduled to face Adrian Yanez on November 8, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 264, but during the week leading up to the event, Quiñónez withdrew for unknown reasons, and the fight was canceled.

Quiñónez faced Kris Moutinho on February 28, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 268. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Warrior Challenge Mexico UWC Bantamweight Championship (one time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Kris Moutinho Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Raoni Barcelos Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Royval 2

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Kang Kyung-ho Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Vettori vs. Cannonier

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Khalid Taha TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Gane vs. Tuivasa

Paris, France Win

Xiao Long Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 45

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Donny Matos Decision (unanimous) UWC Mexico 25

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Erick Ruano Barrera TKO (punches) UWC Mexico 24

Tijuana, Mexico Win

José Benito Solorzano Decision (unanimous) Gladiadores Fight League 2

Guatemala City, Guatemala Loss

Víctor Madrigal Submission (rear-naked choke) Combate 27

Guadalajara, Mexico Win

Vinicius Oliveira TKO (doctor stoppage) Combate 23

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Ricardo Hernández Submission (rear-naked choke) Cabo Bato Fights MMA 1

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Win

Diego Illescas TKO (punches) Xtreme Fighters Latino 35

Mexico City, Mexico Loss

Cristiano Souza TKO (punches) Brave CF 3

São José dos Pinhais, Brazil Win

Ahmed Faress TKO (punches) Brave CF 2

Isa Town, Bahrain Win

Matías Vásquez Decision (split) Xtreme Fighters Latino: CDMX October 2016

Mexico City, Mexico Win

Héctor Valenzuela Submission MV Promotions: Glory Fight 2

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Fernando Rodríguez Decision (unanimous) The Supreme Cage 6

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Agustín Alamillo TKO (punches) UWC Mexico 14

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Willy Martinez TKO (punches) World Best Gladiators 7

Delicias, Mexico Loss

José Ruelas TKO (punches) UWC & EVT: Sánchez vs. Castillo

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Arnoldo Castillo Submission (armbar) UWC & EVT: Duarte vs. Beristaín

Tijuana, Mexico Win

Gastón Manzur TKO (retirement) Jungle Fight 69

Itu, Brazil Win

Oscar Galván TKO (retirement) Combate Extremo: Solo Los Más Fuertes

Monterrey, Mexico Win

Diego Pérez TKO (doctor stoppage) Fight Club México 3

Aguascalientes, Mexico