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Gets no help from judges in defeat
Ponzinibbio lost to Muslim Salikhov via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Denver.
ANALYSIS
It was a fight the 37-year-old Ponzinibbio had to have and may very well have deserved. Two of the three judges disagreed. One thing that was abundantly clear was that there was very little separating these two on the feet. With the bout in the balance late, Ponzinibbio smartly went to his wrestling. He landed a takedown with a couple minutes left and managed to grind his way to the final bell. Unfortunately, it didn't make a difference because he was already down 20-18 on a pair of scorecards. Ponzinibbio is now sporting a 1-4 mark in his last five fights dating back to December 2021. Three of those defeats have come against excellent competition in Geoff Neal, Michel Pereira and Kevin Holland, but sooner or later Ponzinibbio is going to have to start stringing some wins together.
It was a fight the 37-year-old Ponzinibbio had to have and may very well have deserved. Two of the three judges disagreed. One thing that was abundantly clear was that there was very little separating these two on the feet. With the bout in the balance late, Ponzinibbio smartly went to his wrestling. He landed a takedown with a couple minutes left and managed to grind his way to the final bell. Unfortunately, it didn't make a difference because he was already down 20-18 on a pair of scorecards. Ponzinibbio is now sporting a 1-4 mark in his last five fights dating back to December 2021. Three of those defeats have come against excellent competition in Geoff Neal, Michel Pereira and Kevin Holland, but sooner or later Ponzinibbio is going to have to start stringing some wins together.
New fight scheduled
Ponzinibbio is set to fight Muslim Salikhov at UFC Fight Night 243 in Denver, Colorado on July 13, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Ponzinibbio's welterweight clash with Ponzinibbio will be his first fight since his bout with Daniel Rodriguez was canceled in September of 2023. Ponzinibbio will have a three-inch reach advantage as he looks to earn his first win in the UFC since 2022.
Ponzinibbio's welterweight clash with Ponzinibbio will be his first fight since his bout with Daniel Rodriguez was canceled in September of 2023. Ponzinibbio will have a three-inch reach advantage as he looks to earn his first win in the UFC since 2022.
Fight with Rodriguez cancelled
Ponzinibbio will no longer fight Daniel Rodriguez in a welterweight bout at UFC Noche on Sept. 16 after Rodriguez withdrew Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Rodriguez announced via social media that he had a positive drug test that he'll be disputing with the UFC, as the banned PED has been linked to several tainted supplement cases. While Rodriguez's status remains pending, he'll be removed from the card, and it's unclear whether the UFC will be able to line up another opponent for Ponzinibbio for the Sept. 16 event.
Rodriguez announced via social media that he had a positive drug test that he'll be disputing with the UFC, as the banned PED has been linked to several tainted supplement cases. While Rodriguez's status remains pending, he'll be removed from the card, and it's unclear whether the UFC will be able to line up another opponent for Ponzinibbio for the Sept. 16 event.
Taking on Rodriguez
Ponzinibbio will face Daniel Rodriguez in a welterweight bout at UFC Noche on Sept. 16, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Ponzinibbio is in the midst of a rough stretch of fights that began in 2021. After six straight wins in the UFC, the welterweight is now looking at a 2-4 record across his last six fights. His most recent loss came at the hands of Kevin Holland, who disposed of him with a left hook in the third round of a fight back in April. His opponent, Daniel Rodriguez, is also coming off a loss and needs a victory to avoid dropping three straight.
Ponzinibbio is in the midst of a rough stretch of fights that began in 2021. After six straight wins in the UFC, the welterweight is now looking at a 2-4 record across his last six fights. His most recent loss came at the hands of Kevin Holland, who disposed of him with a left hook in the third round of a fight back in April. His opponent, Daniel Rodriguez, is also coming off a loss and needs a victory to avoid dropping three straight.
Falls to 2-4 in past six bouts
Ponzinibbio lost to Kevin Holland via KO (punches) at 3:16 of Round 3 at UFC 287 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Ponzinibbio has been treading water since returning from a two-plus year layoff in January 2021, and this was the latest example. He was by no means overwhelmed by Holland and did a really nice job of damaging his opponent with repeated, well-placed leg kicks, but there's zero question which man was responsible for the biggest moments of the fight, and it wasn't Santiago. He protested the stoppage by referee Dan Miragliotta midway through Round 3, but it seemed perfectly fine. Set to turn 37 years of age this coming September, this felt like a fight Ponzinibbio had to have in order to remain somewhat relevant at 170 pounds. He didn't get it, and is now looking at a 2-4 mark in his past half-dozen bouts.
Ponzinibbio has been treading water since returning from a two-plus year layoff in January 2021, and this was the latest example. He was by no means overwhelmed by Holland and did a really nice job of damaging his opponent with repeated, well-placed leg kicks, but there's zero question which man was responsible for the biggest moments of the fight, and it wasn't Santiago. He protested the stoppage by referee Dan Miragliotta midway through Round 3, but it seemed perfectly fine. Set to turn 37 years of age this coming September, this felt like a fight Ponzinibbio had to have in order to remain somewhat relevant at 170 pounds. He didn't get it, and is now looking at a 2-4 mark in his past half-dozen bouts.