Lionel Messi and his staff narrowly missed out in opposition to Spain within the FIFA World Cup remaining in New Jersey final Sunday, however Santiago Ponzinibbio is proudly admiring the Argentine nationwide soccer staff forward of his conflict with Sam Patterson at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25.
Ponzinibbio watched Messi win the 2022 World Cup simply days after knocking out Alex Morono in Las Vegas, and he returned Argentina to the highest within the UFC six days after his soccer defeat.
“What we noticed from the nationwide staff is similar factor that folks noticed in my combat and what they are going to see once more this Saturday: dedication, grit and coronary heart,” Ponzinibbio informed MMA Preventing. “That is how Argentina gained so many video games on the World Cup. I feel Argentina had good purpose to have fun. That is precisely what we noticed and that is what I worth most as an athlete.”
Argentina achieved success on the FIFA World Cup with heroic moments within the remaining levels in opposition to England, Egypt and Cape Verde, however Ponzinibbio will not belittle his gamers simply because they misplaced within the remaining.
“I perceive that on the highest stage of competitors you do not all the time get the outcomes you need, however what issues most is the dedication of the athletes,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “We perceive that if the athletes depart every part and combat with coronary heart and willpower and combat till the top, the outcome is probably not what we wished. That is what we noticed from the nationwide staff. There’s nothing to complain about. They left every part in each recreation with a lot coronary heart and dedication. Spain have been higher and performed higher.”
“And let me inform you, I am very pleased with the nationwide staff,” he continued. “I all the time attempt to do the identical factor in a match. Typically I win, generally I lose, however I prepare, I put together, I all the time give it my all with onerous work and dedication, after which I am going to the match. I am the kind of one that leaves every part on the market, so you possibly can positively see that. That is the job of an athlete who represents his nation.”
This will probably be Ponzinibbio’s first combat in UFC Abu Dhabi in additional than a yr, making his return after being pressured to withdraw from a combat with Vicente Luque in October 2025 as a result of he was not 100% match. The 39-year-old was initially scheduled to face Jack Hermansson on July 25, however mentioned Patterson got here on in its place with 4 weeks’ discover.
“I feel the UFC is doing what they’ve all the time wished to do, which is generational matching,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “They put a younger prospect in there, a man they see with nice potential, as a result of he fought 4 fights at 170, completed all 4 within the first spherical, had two submissions and two KOs. He appeared actually good.”
Patterson was on a four-fight profitable streak previous to his most up-to-date look in March, however suffered a lackluster choice loss to former Bellator contestant Michael Web page.
“Then (Patterson) fought MVP and it was horrible,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “It was a boring match as a result of the matchup did not swimsuit him. He is a proficient child, however MVP is a tough man and it made for a really boring match. Nonetheless, he is a fighter with submission abilities and knockout energy. The blokes he beat (Trey Waters, Danny Barr) Lowe, Kiefer Crosby, Johan Reinese) should not even near the extent that I’ve fought earlier than. I say that primarily based on my expertise and every part that is occurred.”It isn’t out of vanity, it is as a result of I do know he is a proficient, tall fighter with upside. ”
Ponzinibbio does not know if the UFC is pitting Patterson in opposition to a younger welterweight to boost his profile, however in the end he does not care. The Argentine expertise has been on this place earlier than in his profession and vows that have will show an excessive amount of for Patterson.
“You might take a look at that and say they’re making an attempt to make use of me as a springboard,” Ponzinibbio mentioned, “or you possibly can say they’re making an attempt to check Patterson and see how he handles a troublesome combat. Anybody who steps in there with me is aware of it may be a troublesome combat. I’ve fought in opposition to undefeated prospects, (Sean) Strickland early in his profession, and most not too long ago (Miguel) Baeza.”To be sincere, I do not know what the UFC is considering, so it does not actually matter to me. All I wished was to be there this Saturday, that is all of the video games, he is younger however the expertise is on my facet. ”
Years after coming near profitable the UFC welterweight title with seven straight wins over the likes of Mike Perry, Gunnar Nelson and Neil Magny, Ponzinibbio is now combating for back-to-back wins in opposition to the likes of Mike Perry, Gunnar Nelson and Neil Magny. With simply three wins in his previous 9 Octagon appearances, Ponzinibbio is trying to make his mark in Abu Dhabi.
“My essence is my essence,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “I am not going to alter my type due to him. I do know what he does and clearly this can be a very technical sport. We’re making ready to neutralize the opponent’s recreation, however the focus is on my abilities. I’ve the ability, I can apply good stress, and I can do harm and dominate in these kinds of fights. I do not know if he can keep on his ft for 3 rounds. We’ll discover out on Saturday.”
