Ex-UFC contender dismisses retirement in statement on fourth KO loss since return from health scare

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Santiago Ponzinibbio isn’t backing down following one other tough loss contained in the Octagon.

In 2021, Ponzinibbio was knocked out in devastating fashion after returning to the Octagon having overcome a life-threatening illness.

This harsh reintroduction to competing contained in the Octagon ended a seven-fight win streak that had the Argentine in title contention at welterweight.

While the actual fact he was even capable of make it back is value celebrating by itself, he’s been unable to recapture this way, with fans calling for Ponzinibbio to retire after his latest defeat.

Which UFC legend had the worst final run within the promotion?

Comment your pick and reasoning below for the most important fall from grace.

Which UFC legend has the roughest fall from grace?
Which UFC legend has the roughest fall from grace? Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Santiago Ponzinibbio reflects on UFC Abu Dhabi loss to Sam Patterson in first post

In Abu Dhabi this past weekend, Santiago Ponzinibbio was stopped within the second round by Sam Patterson.

The 39-year-old veteran has now gone 3-7 since he returned from the illness that put a halt to the momentum he’d built up at 170 kilos.

Despite suffering back-to-back TKO losses in his most up-to-date outings, Ponzinibbio doesn’t plan on changing his approach to facing adversity following July 25.

The ‘Argentine Dagger’ reflected on the defeat in his first post on social media because the fight, where he suggested that he’ll be going back to the drafting board before continuing to push forward.

“Thanks for each message, for the support, and for at all times being there. You’re a fundamental a part of this journey,” he wrote on Instagram. “This time, things didn’t go as I had hoped. On this sport, you win, you learn, and you progress forward. The one ones who make mistakes are those that dare to take the step and face the challenges.

“My essence has at all times been to choose myself up, reinvent myself, and are available back stronger,” Ponzinibbio continued. “Rest assured, that is strictly what’s going to occur once more. Thanks for standing by me in every battle. The journey continues.”

Ponzinibbio was transported to hospital after the loss for a precautionary CT scan of his head and face, a reasonably common procedure for UFC fighters following a concerning stoppage loss.

Santiago Ponzinibbio has been in some wars since making his UFC return in 2021

Since coming back in 2021, Santiago Ponzinibbio has earned two Fight of the Night bonuses, taking the entire throughout his UFC profession up to a few.

The welterweight veteran can have suffered 4 stoppage losses since his win streak was broken, but it surely’s not only these defeats that may cause concern for his fans.

After his return was cut short by Li Jingliang, Ponzinibbio went the space in his next three outings, winning one by unanimous decision and being beaten twice via split decision.

Santiago Ponzinibbio opponentsDateSignificant strikes absorbedResult
Miguel BaezaJune 5, 2021104 of 249Ponzinibbio via unanimous decision
Geoff NealDecember 11, 202185 of 161Neal via split decision
Michel PereiraMay 21, 2022110 of 216Pereira via split decision

Ponzinibbio’s output allowed him to match those opponent’s but because the stats above show, he took a complete of 299 significant strikes in those three outings alone.


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