Santiago Ponzinibbio is completely satisfied to be a part of UFC’s first card of 2025 as a result of it opens the door for probably competing 4 occasions on this calendar yr, however nonetheless mad that he’s 1-4 in his previous 5 contained in the octagon.
Ponzinibbio, who as soon as noticed himself getting into talks for a shot on the welterweight gold for profitable seven in a row between 2015 and 2018, feels he was wronged by the judges in a few of his most up-to-date bouts. The Argentine’s sole victory since 2021 was a bonus-winning knockout over Alex Morono, a end result sandwiched between three break up choice defeats and one stoppage.
“I’ve to make use of this [anger] to my benefit,” Ponzinibbio instructed MMA Combating forward of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 101 co-main occasion conflict with Carlston Harris. “It has occurred twice in my profession, two mistaken choices in opposition to Michel Pereira and Muslim Salikhov. I believe I gained these two. It pisses me off that I misplaced three break up choices, fights I’m assured I gained. It pisses me off that that occurred, however I take advantage of that as hearth. Fireplace to focus in coaching and alter and go for the subsequent one. I can’t complain or cry about it, I’ve to maneuver ahead.”
Ponzinibbio needs a busy yr in 2025, and hopes for a clear victory this weekend on the UFC APEX to arrange a return at UFC 314, a pay-per-view card that’s anticipated to go down April 5 in Miami. If the American High Crew fighter is ready to avenge a type of shut losses close to his Florida dwelling, even higher.
“I’d be all the way down to rematch any fighter that sadly I wasn’t capable of win,” Ponzinibbio stated. “We all know it’s laborious to get rematches within the UFC, it’s not that straightforward, however let’s see what the plans are for the corporate in 2025. What I actually need for this yr is to get a very good win Saturday, a clear victory, and keep lively. I need to combat three [in 2025] — or 4 occasions, since I’m preventing on the primary card. That’s the aim now.”
Harris, his opponent at UFC Vegas 101, can be trying to get again on observe within the UFC. Based mostly in Brazil, “Moçambique” scored finishes in three of his 4 UFC wins, however misplaced by knockout to Khaos Williams in his most up-to-date look. Harris’ different UFC defeat got here by the palms of future welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“He’s an entire man, he’s very lengthy and has good arm-triangle chokes, so he’s positively harmful,” Ponzinibbio stated. “I do know he gained’t be simply beat, however I’m centered on my recreation. I do know I’ve energy to knock him out and I’ve recreation on the bottom to beat him, too. I’m very skilled, I’ve been engaged on my wrestling for a very long time. I’m able to work in all areas, however I imagine I’ll knock him out.”
Whatever the methodology, Ponzinibbio stated he’ll do all the things in his energy to ensure it doesn’t go the gap to keep away from extra heartbreaks.
“We watched my final fights, particularly the final one, and talked to the workforce to see what we will do to be extra clear, to get the knockout, to ensure it doesn’t occur once more,” Ponzinibbio stated. “My total camp was primarily based on that. I’m proud of the preparation I had and I’m able to safe a clear victory and finish this earlier than the choice, to get a knockout — or if I can’t get the knockout, to be clear and dominant.”
