Santiago Ponzinibbio returns at UFC Abu Dhabi.
The UFC introduced Friday that Ponzinibbio (30-9) is scheduled to struggle England’s Sam Patterson (14-3-1) in a welterweight bout on the July 25 Etihad Area card. This will probably be Ponzinibbio’s first match since Might 2025.
Ponzinibbio, 39, gained seven straight from 2015 to 2018 and at one level was on his strategy to the title. Nevertheless, the Argentine suffered from a lot of well being points and misplaced to Li Jinliang in his 2021 comeback match. Since that loss, Ponzinibbio has gained solely three of his previous eight video games. In his most up-to-date struggle, he misplaced to Daniel Rodriguez by KO within the third spherical.
In the meantime, Patterson is seeking to regain momentum after a disappointing loss to Michael Web page in March. The match was closely criticized for its lack of motion, not solely as a result of Patterson misplaced, but additionally as a result of his associates and coaching companions have been reluctant to compete. Earlier than that setback, Patterson had gained 4 straight, all by knockout or submission.
UFC Abu Dhabi is headlined by a lightweight heavyweight bout between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr.
See the newest UFC Abu Dhabi lineup under (struggle order not but finalized).
Magomed Ankalaev vs Khalil Rountree Jr.
Steve Arseg vs. Ramazan Temirov
Rizvan Kniev vs. Tyrell Fortune
Islam Duratov vs. Wellington Turman
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson
Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola
Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen
Profession Sativardyev vs. Dustin Jacoby
Magomed Tucharov vs. Magomed Tucharov Blendson Ribeiro
Magomed Zainukov vs. Damien Jepeki
Mike Davis vs. Nurlo Aliyev
