Undefeated flyweight Max Quinones says CFFC 122 just the beginning: 'Mark my words'
'The Candyman' nearly had his career ended before it began, but now he's intent on international recognition.
Max Quinones has made quite the name for himself in his first full year as a professional fighter. With three CFFC appearances under his belt, Quinones is a perfect 3-0, including two wins by knockout.
It's an incredible start for any up-and-coming athlete but one made perhaps even more special considering Quinones almost didn't have the chance to fight at all.
"This first year is definitely something that we've been manifesting for a while," Quinones said. "I had a car accident back in 2019, right before I wanted to turn pro. Around that timeframe, in that October, we were going to make our pro debut, but then some setbacks happened from that car accident, so I think it was just a way of God telling me that mentally there were some things that I needed to be clear of energy-wise before making that switch, and ever since we've cleared those areas, those blockages in the mind and everything.
"Everything I've been envisioning during the recovery from the accident is now paying off, and it's just been going back to back to back of how the journey should be going, so I'm very grateful and blessed in that sense."
Quinones, who found success as a high school wrestler but quickly discovered he liked the feeling of punching someone in the face even better, built a rather impressive 8-2 mark as an amateur heading into 2019 and at 24 was readying to make the move to the professional ranks. However injuries suffered in an auto accident made for a change in plans.
"I had to get major reconstructive surgery on one of my knees, actually, and so I had to relearn how to walk and the whole bit again," Quinones said. "It was 2021 when I relearned how to walk again, and as soon as I was able to get out of the brace, I stepped back into jiu-jitsu, and then three months later, I took my last amateur fight. It was just nonstop physical therapy, rehabbing, and they actually put a bone marrow that adheres to the bone and everything, which is really neat – science these days."
Quinones admits it wasn't an easy process to return to the cage. Doctors advised against it, but he refused to listen.
"There were definitely tough days," Quinones said. "I mean every doctor, for their safety, their priorities, they're going to say that their recommendation is best, and no one really thought from the injury that I would be able to train, let alone walk the same again. My lawyers didn't. Some previous teammates didn't. A lot of people really counted me out, but when you have a stronger sense of purpose and will, I think that truly triumphs over all those doubters and naysayers because it's only you.
"You only fail when you stop, so I just had that goal in mind of, like, one goal is to relearn how to walk. Take the next step, take the next step, take the next step, and then live every day as an appreciation because I'm not supposed to be technically doing this again, so the fact I am and it's going pretty well, we're just going to keep the ball rolling."
Quinones (3-0) looks to take that next step at Thursday's CFFC 122 event,
which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. "The Candyman" takes on fellow undefeated prospect Tyler Howell (2-0) but is confident that he'll keep his professional record unblemished.
"The only thing that I can really see is his nickname is Tyler Howell, 'The Bully,' and I would love to see him try to bully me in the cage because that sh-t is not going to happen," Quinones said. "It is not, and I can say that with confidence because of the training and preparation that DEFWAR has put me through, and from everything I've been through mentally, as well. There's just no other way the outcome would be besides me just keeping the hands going, touching him repeatedly, making him drop for a submission or a knockout, TKO.
"I just see it being a finish. Especially now, since everything's coming closer and the visualization is there. I see things playing out in my favor."
A 4-0 start for Quinones could get him a look at a potential future title shot, especially since a new flyweight titleholder is set to be crowned in the co-main event of CFFC 122.
At 28, Quinones admits the car accident that nearly ended his career did, at least, put him a little behind schedule for where he hoped to be at this time. Still, he counts his blessings to still be chasing his dream, and he believes bigger things are on the way.
"All glory to God," Quinones said. "Thank you to my family, my friends, the village, the team at DEFWAR, everyone that's coming out to support me on Thursday. We're going to make this show happen, and this is only the beginning, too. This name is going to be well known nationwide, across the globe, internationally. Mark my words."
