Julian Marquez

Julian Marquez, widely recognized by his nickname “The Cuban Missile Crisis,” is a prominent American professional mixed martial artist. From 2014 to 2020, he represented Syndicate MMA before transitioning to Glory MMA. Competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Marquez earned accolades like “Fight of the Night” against Darren Stewart and “Performance of the Night” versus Maki Pitolo. He commands a notable social media presence, boasting over 41.9k followers on Instagram and 11k on Twitter.

Early Life

Born on May 8, 1990, in Kansas City, Missouri, Julian is the son of Fernando Marquez and Shannon Marquez. He has an elder brother, Antonio Miguel Marquez. Marquez’s athletic journey began at age 10 when he started playing baseball, followed by training for basketball two years later. Although information about his formal education remains limited, it is evident that Marquez dedicated himself early to martial arts, focusing on building a professional fighting career.

Career Beginnings

Marquez’s martial arts journey officially took off in 2014, marking a strong debut by defeating Charles Rooks in just 53 seconds. His first professional match was with BFC, recording a 3-0 scoreline. However, on February 26, 2016, he faced a setback at Bellator 150. Undeterred, he secured victories at KFC Alliance 14 against Jesse Jones and Combate Americas: Road to the Championship versus Idrees Wasi. Additional triumphs included defeating Matt Hamill at Combate Americas: Empire Rising.

In 2017, Marquez’s impressive winning streak included victories at LFA 12 over Cameron Olson and Dana White’s Contender Series 4 against Phil Hawes. He later triumphed against Darren Stewart at UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. dos Anjos.

Unfortunately, in 2018, he faced defeat against Alessio Di Chirico at The Ultimate Fighter Undefeated Finale. Following this, Marquez encountered a major career setback—a fully torn latissimus dorsi that required two surgeries and a lengthy two-year recovery period.

Return to the Octagon

After his hiatus, Marquez was scheduled to fight Saparbek Safarov at UFC Fight Night 175 in August 2020. However, due to pandemic-related complications and Safarov’s weight issues, the match was canceled. On February 13, 2021, Marquez made a triumphant return, defeating Maki Pitolo at UFC 258 using an anaconda choke.

Personal Life

Currently single, Marquez keeps his personal life relatively private. Despite fan speculation over an engagement due to his ring-wearing habit, he clarified that his primary focus remains on his fighting career. Post his victory at UFC 258, he made headlines by publicly asking pop star Miley Cyrus to be his Valentine. Cyrus humorously responded with a challenge for Marquez to shave her initials into his chest hair. The lighthearted exchange stirred mixed reactions online.

Marquez co-hosts a podcast titled Beauty and the Beast alongside actress Kendra Lust.

Net Worth and Achievements

Julian Marquez has amassed significant earnings from his fighting career, reportedly earning $62,000 per UFC fight, alongside revenue from sponsorships, podcasting, and event appearances. His estimated net worth stands at approximately $500,000.

Interesting Facts

• Known as “The Cuban Missile Crisis,” a nickname inspired by his father’s Cuban heritage.
• His mother, Shannon Marquez, passed away in 2014.
• He has secured victories through two submissions and six knockouts.
• Trained in Alabama during the pandemic to stay prepared for future matches.
• His father immigrated from Pinar del Rio, Cuba, to the United States in 1970.

Marquez continues to be a rising star in mixed martial arts, captivating audiences with his resilience and fighting prowess.