Santiago Ponzinibbio is comfortable to be a part of UFC’s first card of 2025 as a result of it opens the door for doubtlessly competing 4 instances on this calendar 12 months, 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 resolution defeats and one stoppage.
“I’ve to make use of this [anger] to my benefit,” Ponzinibbio advised MMA Combating forward of Saturday’s UFC Vegas 101 co-main occasion conflict with Carlston Harris. “It has occurred twice in my profession, two incorrect selections in opposition to Michel Pereira and Muslim Salikhov. I feel I gained these two. It pisses me off that I misplaced three break up selections, fights I’m assured I gained. It pisses me off that that occurred, however I exploit that as fireplace. 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 12 months 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 Prime Crew fighter is ready to avenge a type of shut losses close to his Florida house, even higher.
“I might be all the way down to rematch any fighter that sadly I wasn’t in a position to win,” Ponzinibbio stated. “We all know it’s onerous 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 12 months is to get a very good win Saturday, a clear victory, and keep energetic. I wish to combat three [in 2025] — or 4 instances, 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. Primarily based 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 arms of future welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“He’s a whole 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 sport. I do know I’ve energy to knock him out and I’ve sport 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 consider 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 staff to see what we are able to do to be extra clear, to get the knockout, to ensure it doesn’t occur once more,” Ponzinibbio stated. “My total camp was based mostly on that. I’m pleased with 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.”
