Antonio Banuelos

American martial artist
The basics

Quick Facts

IntroAmerican martial artist
PlacesUnited States of America
isAthlete Mixed martial artist
Work fieldSports
Gender
Male
Birth23 September 1979, Tulare
Age45 years
The details

Biography

Juan Antonio Banuelos (born September 23, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division.

Mixed martial arts career

Banuelos made his professional mixed martial arts debut in June 2001, knocking out Daniel Garlets at IFC Warriors Challenge 13. Following the impressive win, Banuelos would compile a record of 3–1 before signing with World Extreme Cagefighting in 2002.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Banuelos is perhaps best known for being a longtime competitor for World Extreme Cagefighting, making his debut at WEC 5: Halloween Havoc. He fought a record 14 times under the promotion, compiling a record of 9–5. His 9 WEC wins are also a promotional record, which he shares with Urijah Faber and Poppies Martinez.

Banuelos was defeated by Eddie Wineland for the first ever WEC Bantamweight Championship at WEC 20.

After the Wineland bout, Banuelos defeated Cole Escovedo, Mike French and Justin Robbins while dropping contests against Charlie Valencia and a controversial decision to Manny Tapia at WEC 32.

Banuelos defeated Scott Jorgensen via split decision at WEC 41 in a fight that many, including WEC general manager Reed Harris has speculated is a candidate for fight of the year.

Banuelos improved to 8–4 in the WEC after defeating Kenji Osawa via unanimous decision on November 18, 2009, at WEC 44.

Banuelos was scheduled to face Damacio Page on April 24, 2010, at WEC 48, but Page was forced off the card with an injury. Banuelos instead faced Jorgensen in a rematch of their bout from WEC 41 which Banuelos won via split decision. Banuelos lost the rematch by unanimous decision.

Banuelos faced Chad George on September 30, 2010, at WEC 5: Halloween Havoc. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On October 28, 2010, World Extreme Cagefighting merged with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As part of the merger, all WEC fighters were transferred to the UFC.

Banuelos made his promotional debut against the former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126. Banuelos struggled with the height and reach advantage of Torres and was unable to mount any significant offense until the latter half of the final round. He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Legacy Fighting Championship

After going 2–1 outside of the UFC, Banuelos signed with Texas based promotion Legacy FC. He faced Josh Sampo in his flyweight debut at Legacy FC 14 on September 14, 2012. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

In his second fight within the promotion, Banuelos faced Rafael de Freitas at Legacy FC 18 on March 1, 2013. After three hard fought rounds, the bout was ruled a split draw. Banuelos faced Alptekin Ozkilic at Legacy FC 20 on May 31, 2013. He lost the fight via first round TKO, dropping his third straight fight in the process.

Championships and accomplishments

  • World Extreme Cagefighting
    • WEC North American Bantamweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
32 matches20 wins11 losses
By knockout75
By submission12
By decision124
Draws1
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss20–11–1Joby SanchezTKO (corner stoppage)Tachi Palace Fights 20000000002014-08-07-0000August 7, 201422:41Lemoore, California, United States
Loss20–10–1Alp OzkilicTKO (punches)Legacy Fighting Championship 20000000002013-05-31-0000May 31, 201310:30Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
Draw20–9–1Rafael De FreitasDraw (split)Legacy Fighting Championship 18000000002013-03-01-0000March 1, 201335:00Houston, Texas, United States
Loss20–9Joshua SampoDecision (unanimous)Legacy Fighting Championships 14000000002012-09-14-0000September 14, 201235:00Houston, Texas, United StatesFlyweight debut
Loss20–8Bibiano FernandesTKO (punches)Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011000000002011-12-31-0000December 31, 201111:21Saitama, JapanDREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Final
Win20–7Masakazu ImanariDecision (split)Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011000000002011-12-31-0000December 31, 201125:00Saitama, JapanDREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal
Win19–7Hideo TokoroDecision (split)Dream 17000000002011-09-24-0000September 24, 201135:00Saitama, JapanDREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Loss18–7Miguel TorresDecision (unanimous)UFC 126000000002011-02-05-0000February 5, 201135:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win18–6Chad GeorgeDecision (unanimous)WEC 51000000002010-09-30-0000September 30, 201035:00Broomfield, Colorado, United States
Loss17–6Scott JorgensenDecision (unanimous)WEC 48000000002010-04-24-0000April 24, 201035:00Sacramento, California, United States
Win17–5Kenji OsawaDecision (unanimous)WEC 44000000002009-11-18-0000November 18, 200935:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–5Scott JorgensenDecision (split)WEC 41000000002009-06-07-0000June 7, 200935:00Sacramento, California, United States
Win15–5Bryan GoldsbyKO (punch)PFC 10: Explosive000000002008-09-26-0000September 26, 200820:59Lemoore, California, United States
Loss14–5Manny TapiaDecision (split)WEC 32: Condit vs. Prater000000002008-02-13-0000February 13, 200835:00Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
Win14–4Justin RobbinsDecision (unanimous)WEC 29000000002007-08-05-0000August 5, 200735:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss13–4Charlie ValenciaKO (punch)WEC 26: Condit vs. Alessio000000002007-03-24-0000March 24, 200713:12Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win13–3Mike FrenchDecision (unanimous)WEC 25000000002007-01-20-0000January 20, 200735:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–3Cole EscovedoDecision (unanimous)WEC 23: Hot August Fights000000002006-08-17-0000August 17, 200635:00Lemoore, California, United States
Loss11–3Eddie WinelandKO (head kick and punches)WEC 20: Cinco de Mayhem000000002006-05-05-0000May 5, 200612:36Lemoore, California, United StatesFor the WEC Bantamweight Championship
Win11–2James CottrellDecision (unanimous)WEC 19: Undisputed000000002006-03-17-0000March 17, 200635:00Lemoore, California, United States
Win10–2Kimihito NonakaTKO (punches)FFCF 5: Unleashed000000002006-01-27-0000January 27, 200611:00Mangilao, Guam
Win9–2Justin TaverniniDecision (unanimous)Ultimate Cage Wars 3000000002005-10-22-0000October 22, 200535:00Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Win8–2Ed TomaselliTKO (cut)WEC 17000000002005-10-14-0000October 14, 200512:25Lemoore, California, United States
Win7–2Mike LindquistSubmission (rear naked choke)WEC 14000000002005-03-17-0000March 17, 200511:38Lemoore, California, United States
Win6–2Brandon ShueyTKO (punches)SF 6: Battleground in Reno000000002004-09-23-0000September 23, 200410:22Reno, Nevada, United States
Win5–2Yobie SongTKO (cut)Rumble on the Rock 4000000002003-10-10-0000October 10, 200332:39Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win4–2Jim KikuchiDecision (unanimous)Rumble on the Rock 2000000002003-03-15-0000March 15, 200325:00Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss3–2Jeff BedardSubmission (guillotine choke)WEC 5: Halloween Havoc000000002002-10-18-0000October 18, 200210:43Lemoore, California, United States
Win3–1Steve HechtDecision (unanimous)UAGF 1: Ultimate Cage Fighting 1000000002002-05-09-0000May 9, 200225:00Los Angeles, California, United States
Loss2–1Stephen PallingSubmission (triangle choke)Warriors Quest 2: Battle of Champions000000002001-08-01-0000August 1, 200110:38Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win2–0Brian PetersonKOIFC Warriors Challenge 14000000002001-07-18-0000July 18, 200131:51Fresno, California, United States
Win1–0Daniel GarletsTKO (punches)IFC Warriors Challenge 13000000002001-06-15-0000June 15, 20011N/AOroville, California, United States

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