Antonio Banuelos is a retired American mixed martial artist who made a significant impact in the bantamweight and flyweight divisions during his career.
Known for his tenacity and skill in the octagon, Banuelos competed in various prestigious organizations, including World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
This article will teach you about Antonio Banuelos’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Antonio Banuelos’s Biography
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Juan Antonio Banuelos |
| Nickname | – |
| Born | October 26, 1979 |
| Age | 44 |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) |
| Religion | – |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’3″ (160 cm) |
| Net Worth | $200,000 |
| Salary | Varied per fight |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Instagram Profile | – |
Early Career
Antonio Banuelos began his professional MMA career in June 2001, making an impressive debut by knocking out Daniel Garlets at IFC Warriors Challenge 13.
This victory set the tone for his early career, as he quickly amassed a record of 3-1 before catching the attention of larger organizations.
Banuelos’s early fights showcased his potential and hinted at the successful career that was to follow.
Professional Career
Banuelos’s professional career reached new heights when he signed with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2002.
During his time with WEC, he became a staple of the bantamweight division, competing a record 14 times and achieving 9 wins, tying the promotional record with Urijah Faber and Poppies Martinez.
After WEC merged with the UFC in 2010, Banuelos made his UFC debut against former WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres at UFC 126 in February 2011.
Following his UFC appearance, Banuelos continued to compete in other organizations, including Legacy Fighting Championship, where he tried his hand in the flyweight division.
Antonio Banuelos’s Net Worth Details
Antonio Banuelos’s net worth is estimated to be $200,000 as of 2025.
Fight Purses
| Event | Earnings |
|---|---|
| UFC 126 (Feb 5, 2011) | $9,000 |
Career Records
| Organization | Wins | Losses | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 20 | 11 | 1 |
| WEC | 9 | 5 | 0 |
| UFC | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Notable Opponents:
- Miguel Torres
- Scott Jorgensen
- Eddie Wineland
- Cole Escovedo
FAQs
1. Who is Antonio Banuelos?
Antonio Banuelos is an American former mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions. Born on September 23, 1979, he is known for his extensive career in the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) where he holds the record for the most wins with 9 victories.
2. What is Antonio Banuelos’ fighting style?
Antonio Banuelos utilized a combination of kajukenbo and collegiate wrestling in his fighting style. His background in wrestling provided him with strong grappling skills, while kajukenbo, a martial art that combines elements of karate, judo, jujitsu, kenpo, and boxing, contributed to his striking and overall versatility in the ring.
3. What are some of Antonio Banuelos’ notable achievements in MMA?
Banuelos is particularly noted for his time in the WEC where he won the North American Bantamweight Championship once. He also holds the record for the most wins in WEC history with 9 victories, tying with Urijah Faber and Poppies Martinez.
4. How did Antonio Banuelos perform in the UFC?
Antonio Banuelos made his UFC debut against Miguel Torres at UFC 126, where he lost via unanimous decision. This was his only fight in the UFC before being released from the promotion.
5. What was Antonio Banuelos’ record in professional MMA?
Antonio Banuelos had a professional MMA record of 20 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw. His wins were distributed across knockouts, submissions, and decisions.
6. What happened in Antonio Banuelos’ fight against Scott Jorgensen?
Banuelos fought Scott Jorgensen twice in the WEC. He won their first encounter at WEC 41 via split decision, but lost the rematch at WEC 48 by unanimous decision.
7. Did Antonio Banuelos ever fight for a championship title?
Yes, Banuelos fought for the inaugural WEC Bantamweight Championship against Eddie Wineland at WEC 20 but lost the fight via knockout.
8. What has Antonio Banuelos been doing since retiring from MMA?
Since retiring from professional MMA, Antonio Banuelos has been involved in coaching. He is the head instructor at Pit.fit in San Luis Obispo, where he trains fighters like Cody Gibson.
9. What is known about Antonio Banuelos’ personal life?
Antonio Banuelos was born in Tulare, California, and later moved to Arroyo Grande. He has a background in wrestling, having received a scholarship to Cal Poly, though he did not complete his studies there. He has also faced legal issues, including a conviction for murder which led to a significant prison sentence.
10. Has Antonio Banuelos been involved in any legal issues?
Yes, Antonio Banuelos was sentenced to 51 years to life for a murder conviction in 1998. However, due to his exemplary behavior in prison, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation recommended his sentence be recalled and reconsidered, leading to a court case where the trial court’s decision was reversed for reconsideration under new legislation.
