Argentine Santiago Ponzinibbio is ready to return to the octagon and have ‘the best fight of his career’.
This Saturday, June 5, Ponzinibbio will face undefeated prospect Miguel Baeza at UFC Vegas 28 in a 170-pound bout.
Santiago Ponzinibbio promises “the best battle of his career” this Saturday
‘The Argentine Dagger’ is coming off a tough KO loss in January at the hands of Li Jingliang. This setback frustrated his expected return to the octagon, after 26 months without fighting. The inactivity, due to health problems, was felt in his return to the cage.
“This is part of the sport, the best competitor doesn’t always win, I think I’m a better fighter than him (Li Jingliang) but that wasn’t my night. I was 26 months out of the cage, not training. I was fighting for my health, I didn’t train for a long time, there was a lot of medication in my body. I don’t like to make excuses, but in this fight I felt the inactivity, I started slower and I am more aggressive. Those who know me know my aggressiveness,” said Santiago Ponzinibbio during the media day.
The loss to the Chinese, ended his streak of seven consecutive wins, most notably over Mike Perry, Gunnar Nelson and Neil Magny. He last won in 2018, at Fight Night held in his home country of Argentina. A brutal knockout over Magny, which positioned him as a contender for the welterweight crown.
“It’s a big frustration, of course. My seven wins in a row, I was hoping to win and extend to eight wins. Get back in the rankings, fight some strong contender and get a title shot. I was working hard for many years, but this sport is tough and these things happen.”
But as he said, he takes those frustrations to create a better version of himself. Now, he says he is much better in all aspects, in optimal conditions to go out and give a great war and vindicate himself.
“I’m training very hard, I’m better than ever. Staying active is good. The camp went well, I train at ATT with great teammates and coaches. I have good people behind me. This camp was completely different, I fought in January and now in June I’m back. I am healthy, physically, mentally and spiritually 100%. I’m ready to make the best fight of my career.”
His professional MMA record is 28 wins and 4 losses. In UFC he has 9 fights won, 5 of them are KO finishes, and 3 fights lost. While his opponent is undefeated with a record of 10 wins and no losses. Within the promoter he has three fights, all of them won by finish.
“I want to stay active, I want to fight, I don’t care with whom. If I’m healthy, I want to fight, as soon as possible. They gave me this guy for June, it’s good, it’s a good fight. He’s a prospect, he’s undefeated and he’s a tough guy. When I beat him, I’ll show them that I’m ready to hold my own among the best fighters. And ready to get a shot at the belt.”
Completely recovered, and with his sights set on his goal, Ponzinibbio assures that he will be out to put on a show. Hoping for a favorable result that will put his name back in the top of the division.
“I did a great job in this company. My last fight doesn’t define me, I will put on a great show, another great win. I hope to get back in the rankings, I think I deserve it, but I don’t control that, I won’t look at that. I will put my focus on staying healthy and fighting, if I need to beat one, two, three or four, I don’t care. I’ll look for my shot at the belt, I know I’m ready to be world champion.”
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