Max Quinones composed ahead of CFFC 133 but plans fireworks on fight night: 'I'm going in there to knock your head off'
After suffering a broken hand in bounce-back win, "The CandyMan" taking measured approach to preparation but still promises action on Friday, July 26.
After rattling off four impressive wins in his first year as a professional, Max Quinones seemed to be on a fast track to MMA's highest levels. But following a disappointing setback this past September, as well as an injury suffered in a rebound victory in March, "The CandyMan" is taking a much more controlled approach to his career moving forward.
"Going back to staying composed, calm, patient – things of that nature," Quinones said. "A big, like, eye-opening experience happened before I even entered this training camp to where it just taught me about patience, like with life and gratitude and things like that.
"It was not so much that happened during this fight camp, but that was pretty much the patience and gratitude and the hard work from bouncing back because I broke my hand last fight, so it's just a matter of having that step back for that little bit to come back and rejuvenate an extra fire that was there before, but now it's even exerting in higher and bigger flames."
While a newly composed mindset is something that he prides himself on in training, make no mistake – when Quinones enters the cage for his fights, he still wants to impose his will on his opponents.
"Go out there for the kill," Quinones said flatly. "I'm not treating it like a sparring match. I'm going in there to knock your head off, make you bleed and cut you up. I'm there to take you down, impose my will, and I'm there to solidify that I am the true gladiator in that battlefield and it will be a glorious day."
Quinones (5-1 MMA, 5-1 CFFC) gets to unleash that fury when he returns to the cage on Friday, July 26, against fellow flyweight Gustavo "Pretty Boy" Villamil (6-2 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) in the co-main event of "CFFC 133: Watley vs. Forest," which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
Quinones is looking to make a statement in front of his hometown crowd and continue his evolution as an athlete.
"I expect good energy, high energy, and a fast-paced fight to where it's going to bring an exciting crowd," Quinones said. "I'm always grateful to be fighting at home in front of my people. He's another Florida native, as well, so I expect good energy, high energy, and a fast-paced fight to where he's going to bring an exciting crowd.
"On top of that, it doesn't matter where we are. I'm just looking forward to propel myself into the UFC, into world championship contenders down that line, so this is just another stepping stone.
Lofty goals, indeed, but Quinones is willing to put in the work. While he's perhaps best known for his flashy style both in and out of the cage, the 29-year-old prospect has a firm foundation in embracing the grind. Look no further than his nickname, "The CandyMan," which has much deeper roots than one might imagine.
"When I was 17, there was an artist or something that mentioned that they used to sell candy at school," Quinones recalled. "My mom was getting tired of lending me 20 bucks to go to the movies back then, so I was like, 'You know what?" Let me just take this last $20.' I went to the Walmart right there. I bought a box of candy, and then at that point, it was like $10 for 20 pieces of candy, so you would come up double.
"Then from there, I knew a source from BJ'S Wholesale Club to where you could use your employee discount plus coupons on top, so I would get the box of 30 candies for like $5 a piece, sell them at school, four boxes a day, and then whatever's left over will be sold on Friday, and I would always sell out every week, so then that's how the nickname 'CandyMan' came about. It's just that hustler-grinder mentality that I had even at a young age, and it's just translated into this life now."
With all six of his professional contests to date taking place inside the CFFC cage, Quinones has become quite a familiar face in the organization, and one that appears to have plenty of upside. With a refined approach to his career, Quinones is ready to make good on that potential, and CFFC 133 is the next step on that path.
"I'm that next dude," Quinones said. "Whether the time is tomorrow, next month – I'll always be ready. I stay ready, and I'm going to get after it. I'll make sure to put on a motherf-cking show every time, that's for sure.
"It is still the beginning of the journey, so there's still more to come. Stay tuned. The story will get across to millions internationally, and just remember the name 'CandyMan,' because it's going to be a household name. Mark my words."
