Santiago Ponzinibbio takes lessons from Argentina’s World Cup run ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi
Santiago Ponzinibbio proudly appears to be like as much as the Argentina nationwide soccer crew as inspiration goes into his UFC Abu Dhabi conflict with Sam Patterson on July 25, regardless that Lionel Messi and the squad got here up brief within the FIFA World Cup remaining towards Spain this previous Sunday in New Jersey.
Ponzinibbio watched Messi win the 2022 World Cup simply days after knocking out Alex Morono in Las Vegas, and now will get to place Argentina again on high within the UFC six days after a soccer defeat.
“What we saw from the national team is the same thing people have seen in my fights, and what they’ll see again this Saturday: commitment, grit, and heart,” Ponzinibbio instructed MMA Fighting. “That’s how Argentina won so many matches in that World Cup. I think Argentina had every reason to celebrate because that’s exactly what we saw, and that’s what I value most as an athlete.”
Argentina had success within the FIFA World Cup with heroic moments late in matches towards England, Egypt and Cape Verde, and Ponzinibbio will not assume much less of the gamers as a result of of a loss within the remaining.
“We understand that the result won’t always be what you want at the highest level of competition, but the most important thing is the athlete’s commitment,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “If an athlete leaves everything out there, fights with heart and determination, and battles until the very end, then we understand that the outcome might not be the one we hoped for. That’s what we saw from the national team. There’s nothing to complain about. Those guys left everything they had in every game, with so much heart and commitment. Spain was better, they played better.
“And I’ll tell you, I’m very proud of our national team,” he continued. “I all the time attempt to do the identical factor in my fights. Sometimes I win, typically I lose, however I all the time give the whole lot in coaching, in my preparation — all the time hardworking and devoted — after which within the struggle. I’m the sort of man who leaves all of it in there, so you will undoubtedly see that. That’s an athlete’s job when representing their nation.”
Ponzinibbio’s UFC Abu Dhabi fight will be his first in over a year, back in action after being forced to pull out of a fight with Vicente Luque in October of 2025 for not being 100 percent fit to compete. The 39-year-old said he was originally expected to face Jack Hermansson on July 25, but Patterson stepped in as a replacement on four weeks’ notice.
“I think the UFC is doing what they always like to do, which is matching generations against each other,” Ponzinibbio said. “They put a younger prospect in there, a man they see as having rather a lot of potential, as a result of he had 4 fights at 170 and completed all 4 within the first spherical, with two submissions and two knockouts. He was trying actually good.”
Patterson was on a four-fight finishing streak prior to his most recent appearance in March, losing a lackluster decision to former Bellator contender Michael Page.
“Then [Patterson] had that fight with MVP, and it sucked,” Ponzinibbio said. “It was a boring fight because the matchup just didn’t suit him. He’s a talented kid, but MVP is a tricky guy, and he turned into a very boring fight. Still, he’s someone with submission skills and knockout power. The guys he’s beaten [Trey Waters, Danny Barlow, Kiefer Crosby and Yohan Lainesse] aren’t even close to the level I’ve competed against. I’m saying that based on my experience and everything I’ve accomplished, not out of arrogance, but because I know what caliber of fighter I am. “He’s talented, he’s long, and he has his strengths.”
Ponzinibbio isn’t sure if the UFC is matching him up against a younger welterweight in an attempt to boost Patterson’s stock over his name, but ultimately he doesn’t care. The Argentine talent has been in this position before in his career, and vows to prove his experience will be too much for Patterson.
“You might have a look at it and say they’re attempting to make use of me as a stepping stone,” Ponzinibbio said, “or you can additionally say they’re attempting to check Patterson and see how he handles a troublesome struggle. Anyone who steps in there with me is aware of it is going to be a tough struggle. I’ve confronted undefeated prospects earlier than, like [Sean] Strickland early in his profession, and extra not too long ago [Miguel] Baeza. I’ve been on this place earlier than. Honestly, I do not know what the UFC is considering. I do not management that, so it would not actually matter to me. What I wished was to be contained in the cage, and I’ll be there this Saturday. That’s what issues. Every struggle is a problem. It’s one man with two arms and two legs. “He’s younger, sure, but experience is on my side.”
Years after being near a shot on the UFC welterweight title with seven straight wins towards the likes of Mike Perry, Gunnar Nelson and Neil Magny, Ponzinibbio now battles to get a successful streak collectively. With solely three victories in his previous 9 octagon appearances, Ponzinibbio goals to impose his will in Abu Dhabi.
“My essence is my essence,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “I’m not going to change my style because of him. I know what he does, and obviously this is a highly technical sport. We prepare to neutralize our opponent’s game, but the focus is on my own skills. I have power, I apply good pressure, and in these kinds of fights I’m able to do damage and come out on top. I don’t know if he’ll be able to stay standing for all three rounds. We’ll find out on Saturday.”
