Santiago Ponzinibbio

Fighter Facts

• Team Nogueira member on TUF Brazil 2
   
• Broke his forearm in semifinal bout on TUF Brazil 2 and was unable to compete in the finals.
   
• Pro since 2008
   
• 15 wins by KO, six by submission (2 guillotine, armbar, kimura, RNC, undisclosed submission)
   
• Has won 10 of his last 12
   
• Lone pre-UFC loss came against UFC vet Leonardo Mafra in 2011
   
• 14 first round finishes

UFC History

UFC Fight Night (6/5/21) Ponzinibbio won a three round unanimous decision over Miguel Baeza
UFC on ABC (1/16/21) Ponzinibbio was knocked out by Li Jingliang at 4:25 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (11/17/18) Ponzinibbio knocked out Neil Magny at 2:36 of the fourth round
UFC on FOX (12/16/17) Ponzinibbio won a three round unanimous decision over Mike Perry
UFC Fight Night (7/16/17) Ponzinibbio stopped Gunnar Nelson via strikes at 1:22 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (2/19/17) Ponzinibbio won a three round unanimous decision over Nordine Taleb
UFC Fight Night (8/6/16) Ponzinibbio won a three round unanimous decision over Zak Cummings
UFC on FOX (4/16/16) Ponzinibbio stopped Court McGee via strikes at 4:15 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (12/10/15) Ponzinibbio stopped Andreas Stahl via strikes at 4:25 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (6/27/15) Ponzinibbio was stopped by Lorenz Larkin via strikes at 3:07 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (2/22/15) Ponzinibbio won a three round unanimous decision over Sean Strickland
UFC Fight Night (9/13/14) Ponzinibbio knocked out Wendell Oliveira at 1:20 of the first round
UFC Fight Night (11/9/13) Ponzinibbio lost a three round unanimous decision to Ryan LaFlare

The Ultimate Fighter, Brazil Season 2
On episode 12 (Semifinals) Ponzinibbio won a three round unanimous decision over Leonardo Santos
On episode 11 (Quarterfinals) Ponzinibbio won a unanimous decision over Cleiton Duarte
On episode seven, Ponzinibbio stopped Marcio Santos via strikes in the first round
On episode two, Ponzinibbio stopped Thiago Silva via strikes in the second round

Q&A

TRAINING: I train every day two shifts. I have been training very hard for many years and it’s been a very big evolution. In this fight, I will show a little of that.
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started when I was 13 years old, after watching a Kickboxing class in a Gym in Argentina. I have always practiced sports, and this one in particular caught my attention. That was when I started training. 
What ranks and titles have you held? Black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Titles: Champion of the Nitrix (77kg), Champion of the BlackMonster (77Kg), Champion of the São José SuperFight (77Kg), Champion of the GP Insano of MMA (77Kg), Estate of Santa Catarina Boxe Champion
Do you have any heroes? Rodrigo Minotauro and Wanderlei Silva (MMA) Messi and Maradona (others).
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is a dream coming true.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Yes, Physical Education (incomplete)
What was your job before you started fighting? I did just about everything. I taught, worked in security, was a doorman, assistant cook, books salesman. Just about
everything you can think of.
Favorite grappling technique: Double leg
Favorite striking technique: Overhand