Cristian Quiñónez (14-3) vs. Dony Matos (20-7)
Mexico’s Ultimate Warrior Challenge organization returns for its 25th effort on Friday. The company’s show will air on UFC Fight Pass, which provides an excellent chance for bantamweight Cristian Quiñónez to make his audition for the UFC. Quiñónez will vie for the 135-pound belt against 27-fight veteran Dony Matos.
Quiñónez has already put together a strong resume of 14 wins across 17 appearances. The 24-year-old made his professional debut in 2013 at age 17. He won his first three fights before running into trouble against Jose Guadalupe Ruelas Soto and succumbing to punches in the third round of their 2014 affair. “El Taylon” responded with six straight wins, including one under the Brave Combat Federation banner. However, he was again stopped by punches in his sophomore outing with Brave CF. Quiñónez rebounded with another trio of wins. The third of these victories came against the previously undefeated Vinicius de Oliveira in Quiñónez’s Combate Americas debut. His hot streak was again brought to a halt in his second Combate contest when he was submitted by Victor Hugo Madrigal. He has since tacked on two more victories, including a November stoppage of Erick Ruano that led to this title opportunity.