The finalist of the first edition of the reality show The Ultimate Fighter Latin America, José Alberto Quiñónez, returns to action after his participation in the UFC Mexico event, where he achieved his third consecutive victory. This time, 'Teco' will face Teruto Ishihara during the early prelims of UFC 221 in Perth, Australia on February 11.
In order to continue his winning streak, he commented over the phone that he has been working on improving his style and strategy: "I don't stay the same, I have been trying to evolve in each fight and be a different 'Teco' every time I step into the octagon, trying to do something I haven't done before in a fight."
"I have been training a lot, it's the only thing I do and I try to learn new techniques. This sport is a world, a universe and it allows you to learn something new every day," he explained to La Afición.
His opponent is a Japanese fighter from Team Alpha Male gym in Sacramento, California who has six fights in the organization, including two losses, one no contest, and three victories, two of which were by knockout.
"I expect a good battle, because I know Teru is a tough opponent who will propose and throw good strikes, but I am well prepared. I don't feel overconfident, but I believe in the work I do thanks to my team, my training partners, and my coach Raúl Arvizu," he said.
This will be the first time Quiñónez makes such a long trip for a fight, but he assures that he is taking the necessary measures to adapt to the change in time zones and enjoy the trip and the bout:
"I have adjusted my training schedule to the time when I will fight. It won't be easy, but it won't be so hard either. I am excited about the trip and I want to showcase the mexprowess that I bring, and leave a good taste in Australia. I want them to say that there is a Mexican who is killing it with his mexprowess."
For this training camp, he relied on his brother Cristian and his teammates Pablo Sabori and Iván López, from Entram Gym in Tijuana, Baja California. However, he mentions that due to a lack of funds, they won't be able to accompany him on fight day, only his coach will be there.
'Teco' shares that having his brother 'Taylon' with him "is special because it's a long journey that we have taken together, trying to fulfill our dreams." In the same gym, he trains with Polo Reyes, who just won a fight for their team in the UFC:
"Everything Polo does inside the octagon motivates us, he gives it his all and we thank him for that knockout he gave us because it drives the team forward," he concluded.
In the UFC, Quiñónez only has one loss, when he was defeated by Alejandro Pérez by unanimous decision in the final of the reality show, in the first event of the organization in Mexico.
UFC 221
February 11, 2018
Perth Arena
FULL CARD
Main Card
- Yoel Romero vs. Luke Rockhold (for the interim 185-pound title).
- Mark Hunt vs. Curtis Blaydes.
- Tai Tuivasa vs. Cyril Asker.
- Jake Matthews vs. Li Jingliang.
- Tyson Pedro vs. Saparbek Safarov.
Preliminary Card
- Damien Brown vs. Dong Hyun Kim.
- Rob Wilkinson vs. Israel Adesanya.
- Jeremy Kennedy vs. Alexander Volkanovski.
- Jussier Formiga vs. Ben Nguyen.
Early Prelims
- Ross Pearson vs. Mizuto Hirota.
- José Alberto Quiñónez vs. Teruto Ishihara.
- Luke Jumeau vs. Daichi Abe.