Santiago Ponzinibbio hold up the Argentina flag following a win in 2017.
Santiago Ponzinibbio says yes to fighting Bryan Barberena next after thrilling UFC 276 victory
UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio has said yes to fighting Bryan Barberena next after the latter’s thrilling UFC 276 victory.
Barberena knocked out former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler in the second round of their back-and-forth brawl that took place last Saturday at UFC 276. For Barberena, it’s the biggest win of his MMA career to date and it gives him three straight victories overall, having previously beaten Matt Brown and Darian Weeks on his winning streak. Following the win over Lawler, Barberena called out Ponzinibbio for an upcoming fight between two veteran welterweights who tend to stand and trade on the feet in what could be a fan favorite fight.
Speaking to MMAjunkie.com in a recent interview, Ponzinibbio was asked if he accepts Barberena’s callout, and the Argentina native didn’t hesitate to say that he would have no problem fighting him, and ideally in the fall.
“I found it funny with Barberena because I was working the live event and I had Barberena’s corner next to me, so when I turn around, his trainer began challenging me. I told him, ‘congrats,’ and he said, ‘Hey, you’re next. You’re next.’ I said, ‘Ok, let’s do the fight.’ I have no problem fighting Barberena. Let’s make that fight. So I kept commentating, and he was there while they were interviewing Barberena, and he kept looking at me and saying, ‘We’re going to do the fight.’ I said, ‘Ok, let’s go,’” Ponzinibbio said.
“I like Barberena. I think he’s a very straight forward fighter, who makes good fights given his style. I think styles make fights and his style plus mine, we’d make for a good fight. I have no problem. If it was up to me, the sooner, the better. That way I can do two more fights this year. This one at the start of September and then another one at the end of December.”
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