Antonio Banuelos
{{short description|American mixed martial arts fighter}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Antonio Banuelos
| other_names =
| image = Abanuelos wiki.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Juan Antonio Banuelos
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|09|23}}
| birth_place = Tulare, California, United States
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| residence =
| height = {{height|ft=5|in=3}}
| weight = {{convert|125|lb|kg st|abbr=on}}
| weight_class = Bantamweight
Flyweight
| reach = {{convert|63|in|cm|abbr=on}}
| style = Kajukenbo, Wrestling
| stance =
| fighting_out_of = Arroyo Grande, California
| team = The Pit
| rank =
| years_active = 2001–2014
| wrestling = NCAA Division I Wrestling{{cite web|url=http://www.pit.fit/instructors.html|title=Instructors|website=pit.fit}}
| mma_kowin = 7
| mma_subwin = 1
| mma_decwin = 12
| mma_koloss = 5
| mma_subloss = 2
| mma_decloss = 4
| mma_draw = 1
| mma_nc =
| url =
| sherdog = 2580
| footnotes =
| updated =
}}
Juan Antonio Banuelos (born September 23, 1979) is an American former mixed martial artist who competed 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.[http://www.wec.tv/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=23115 WEC GM Talks Best Fights of '09]
Banuelos improved to 8–4 in the WEC after defeating Kenji Osawa via unanimous decision on November 18, 2009, at WEC 44.{{cite web|url=http://www.wec.tv/index.cfm?fa=eventdetail.fightCard&eid=2395 |title=WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo results|publisher=www.wec.tv/index.cfmom |date=2009-11-19}}
Banuelos was scheduled to face Damacio Page on April 24, 2010, at WEC 48,{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/17901/antonio-banuelos-inked-to-face-damacio-page-at-wec-48-in-april.mma|title=Antonio Banuelos inked to face Damacio Page at WEC 48 in April|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2010-02-10}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/18353/jorgensen-replaces-injured-page-gets-banuelos-rematch-on-wec-48-ppv-main-card.mma|title=Jorgensen replaces injured Page, gets Banuelos rematch on WEC 48 PPV main card|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=2010-03-17}} Banuelos lost the rematch by unanimous decision.{{cite web |url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/4/24/1441784/wec-48-aldo-vs-faber-live-results |title=WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber - Live Results and Commentary |accessdate=2010-04-25 |publisher=BLOODYELBOW.com |date=2010-04-24| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20100426141932/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/4/24/1441784/wec-48-aldo-vs-faber-live-results| archivedate= 26 April 2010 | url-status= live}}
Banuelos faced Chad George on September 30, 2010, at WEC 51.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=12151&zoneid=13 |title=BANUELOS VS. GEORGE ADDED TO WEC 51 |publisher=mmaweekly.com |accessdate=2010-07-27 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730071925/http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=12151&zoneid=13 |archivedate=30 July 2010 |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/21189/ufc-and-wec-set-to-merge-in-2011-events-to-air-on-versus-and-spike-tv.mma|title=UFC and WEC set to merge in 2011; events to air on Versus and Spike TV|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=October 28, 2010|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-date=May 25, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525095952/http://mmajunkie.com/news/21189/ufc-and-wec-set-to-merge-in-2011-events-to-air-on-versus-and-spike-tv.mma|url-status=dead}}
Banuelos made his promotional debut against the former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres on February 5, 2011, at UFC 126.{{cite web|url=http://www.heavy.com/mma/mma-news/2010/11/exclusive-miguel-torres-takes-on-antonio-banuelos-at-ufc-126/|title=Miguel Torres Takes On Antonio Banuelos At UFC 126|publisher=heavy.com|date=November 4, 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/2012/08/antonio-banuelos-signs-with-legacy-fighting-championship-debuts-vs-josh-sampo|title=Antonio Banuelos signs with Legacy Fighting Championship, debuts vs. Josh Sampo|publisher=mmajunkie.com|date=August 28, 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/bouts/legacy-fc-18-antonio-banuelos-vs-rafael-barata-de-freitas|title=LFC 18: Antonio Banuelos vs. Rafael de Freitas|publisher=tapology.com|date=March 1, 2013}} Banuelos faced Alptekin Ozkilic at Legacy FC 20 on May 31, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Jimmy-Flick-Out-at-Legacy-FC-20-Antonio-Banuelos-Now-Meets-Alptekin-Ozkilic-52553|title=Jimmy Flick Out at Legacy FC 20; Antonio Banuelos Now Meets Alptekin Ozkilic|publisher=sherdog.com|date=May 17, 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
{{MMArecordbox
| draws= 1
| nc=
| ko-wins= 7
| ko-losses= 5
| sub-wins= 1
| sub-losses= 2
| dec-wins= 12
| dec-losses= 4
| dq-wins=
| dq-losses=
| other-wins=
| other-losses=
}}
{{MMA record start}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 20–11–1
| Joby Sanchez
| TKO (corner stoppage)
| {{dts|2014|August|7}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 2:41
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| {{nowrap|20–10–1}}
| TKO (punches)
| Legacy Fighting Championship 20
| {{dts|2013|May|31}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:30
| Corpus Christi, Texas, United States
|
|-
| {{draw}}Draw
| align=center| 20–9–1
| Rafael De Freitas
| Draw (split)
| Legacy Fighting Championship 18
| {{dts|2013|March|1}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Houston, Texas, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 20–9
| Decision (unanimous)
| Legacy Fighting Championships 14
| {{dts|2012|September|14}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Houston, Texas, United States
| {{small|Flyweight debut}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 20–8
| TKO (punches)
| Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011
| {{dts|2011|December|31}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:21
| Saitama, Japan
| {{small|DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Final}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 20–7
| Decision (split)
| Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011
| {{dts|2011|December|31}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Saitama, Japan
| {{small|DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Semifinal}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 19–7
| Decision (split)
| Dream 17
| {{dts|2011|September|24}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Saitama, Japan
| {{small|DREAM Bantamweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal}}
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 18–7
| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC 126
| {{dts|2011|February|5}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 18–6
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 51
| {{dts|2010|September|30}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Broomfield, Colorado, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 17–6
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 48
| {{dts|2010|April|24}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Sacramento, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 17–5
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 44
| {{dts|2009|November|18}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 16–5
| Decision (split)
| WEC 41
| {{dts|2009|June|7}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Sacramento, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 15–5
| KO (punch)
| {{dts|2008|September|26}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 0:59
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 14–5
| Decision (split)
| {{dts|2008|February|13}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 14–4
| Justin Robbins
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 29
| {{dts|2007|August|5}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 13–4
| KO (punch)
| {{dts|2007|March|24}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 3:12
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 13–3
| Mike French
| Decision (unanimous)
| WEC 25
| {{dts|2007|January|20}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 12–3
| Decision (unanimous)
| {{dts|2006|August|17}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 11–3
| KO (head kick and punches)
| {{dts|2006|May|5}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:36
| Lemoore, California, United States
| {{small| For the inaugural WEC Bantamweight Championship}}
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 11–2
| James Cottrell
| Decision (unanimous)
| {{dts|2006|March|17}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 10–2
| TKO (punches)
| FFCF 5: Unleashed
| {{dts|2006|January|27}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:00
| Mangilao, Guam
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 9–2
| Justin Tavernini
| Decision (unanimous)
| Ultimate Cage Wars 3
| {{dts|2005|October|22}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 5:00
| Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 8–2
| Ed Tomaselli
| TKO (cut)
| WEC 17
| {{dts|2005|October|14}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 2:25
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 7–2
| Mike Lindquist
| Submission (rear naked choke)
| WEC 14
| {{dts|2005|March|17}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 1:38
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 6–2
| Brandon Shuey
| TKO (punches)
| SF 6: Battleground in Reno
| {{dts|2004|September|23}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:22
| Reno, Nevada, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 5–2
| Yobie Song
| TKO (cut)
| Rumble on the Rock 4
| {{dts|2003|October|10}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 2:39
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 4–2
| Jim Kikuchi
| Decision (unanimous)
| Rumble on the Rock 2
| {{dts|2003|March|15}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 3–2
| Jeff Bedard
| Submission (guillotine choke)
| {{dts|2002|October|18}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:43
| Lemoore, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 3–1
| Steve Hecht
| Decision (unanimous)
| UAGF 1: Ultimate Cage Fighting 1
| {{dts|2002|May|9}}
| align=center| 2
| align=center| 5:00
| Los Angeles, California, United States
|
|-
| {{no2}}Loss
| align=center| 2–1
| Stephen Palling
| Submission (triangle choke)
| Warriors Quest 2: Battle of Champions
| {{dts|2001|August|1}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| 0:38
| Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 2–0
| Brian Peterson
| KO
| IFC Warriors Challenge 14
| {{dts|2001|July|18}}
| align=center| 3
| align=center| 1:51
| Fresno, California, United States
|
|-
| {{yes2}}Win
| align=center| 1–0
| Daniel Garlets
| TKO (punches)
| IFC Warriors Challenge 13
| {{dts|2001|June|15}}
| align=center| 1
| align=center| N/A
| Oroville, California, United States
|
{{end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Sherdog}}
- {{UFC|antonio-banuelos}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banuelos, Antonio}}
Category:American male mixed martial artists
Category:American mixed martial artists of Mexican descent
Category:Mixed martial artists from California
Category:Bantamweight mixed martial artists
Category:Flyweight mixed martial artists
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing kajukenbo
Category:Mixed martial artists utilizing collegiate wrestling
Category:Sportspeople from Tulare, California
Category:People from Arroyo Grande, California
Category:Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters
Category:American kajukenbo practitioners
Category:American male sport wrestlers
Category:Sportspeople from San Luis Obispo County, California