[ad_1]
While fighting at home, Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) ended the UFC Argentine debut in a devastating way, brutalizing Neil Magny (21-7 MMA, 14-6 UFC) before to leave him cold.
The welterweight competition was the main event of the main FS1 broadcast card of Saturday's UFC Fight Night 140 event at Parque Roca Arena in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Magny opened her jab, trying to keep the distance. Ponzinibbio took a step forward from the center, trying to get in tight enough to hit. The crowd cheered every attempt of departure and an early strike saw Magny reach to cover her right eye. Referee Herb Dean never considered intervening, and Ponzinibbio continued to hit with pleasure as Magny's eyes narrowed and sought to clean the vision of her right eye. Magny moved laterally to the outside, forced to fight wide against the cage. He worked briefly at the center, but Ponzinibbio kept up the pressure and held him back at the fence. Magny was almost exclusively in defense, Ponzinibbio continuing to receive powerful blows. Magny lasted up to the bell but immediately covered himself with eyes again as he headed towards the corner.
After his corner pleaded with him for it to be aggressive, Magny followed the instructions to start the second. Long punches advanced, leaving Ponzinibbio outside while they were fighting in the center. A low kick from Ponzinibbio swept Magny down, but he did not follow and the action resumed on the feet. Ponzinibbio pressed Magny against the fence and then dragged him back to the ground with a low kick. Magny tried to reach and secure his opponent's leg, but Ponzinibbio backed off and his opponent was forced to stand up. At the resumption, Ponzinibbio had a shock between the heads just under the left eyebrow, and Dean had the doctor come for him to take a look. The inspection was brief and the fight continued.
At the restart, Ponzinibbio stung again right in the eye and Magny continued to whip her. Low kicks also allowed Magny to grin, the power of Ponzinibbio causing visible problems. Magny tried to shoot inside for a grounding, but Ponzinibbio easily pushed him back and resumed the attack on the feet. Ponzinibbio was clearly in control, but Magny lasted again until the bell.
The two men went out quickly in the third. If needed, Magny needed to gain momentum, but Ponzinibbio was there to match his efforts with powerful punches and devastating low kicks. Magny sometimes jumped on her right leg, her left leg being beaten. Ponzinibbio continued throwing big hooks, drawing blood on his face and seeing Magny seize this right eye from time to time. Magny proved his resistance every minute, but Ponzinibbio was in perfect control.
Magny was looking to turn the tide as the fourth round started, but Ponzinibbio's low kick swept him almost immediately to the ground. Magny could barely support herself as he stood up. He pulled forward for a takedown, but it was not there. Ponzinibbio was relentless with the low kicks and continually sent Magny to the canvas. The referee Herb Dean warned him to defend himself and Magny valiantly tried to stay on his feet. Ponzinibbio s' interposa until the finish and a brutal right hand landed neatly, sending Magny face to face in the canvas at 2:36 mark of the frame.
After the win, Ponzinibbio called the current welterweight champion of the UFC, Tyron Woodley.
"It's a dream come true," Ponzinibbio said after the victory. "I've been trying for a long time to bring UFC to Argentina, and now, at the head of the home competition, with the crowd at my side, it was amazing. After 11 months of absence, I tried to give the fans the best show possible and I had a knockout. Neil was a tough opponent, as I knew he would be.
"I know I have what it takes to be the next champion. I hope to fight for the belt next, and I'm ready for it. Otherwise, I would like to face the winner of (Rafael) back Anjos against (Kamaru) Usman and maybe get the title after. "
The latest UFC Fight Night 140 results include:
- Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Neil Magny via knockout (punch) – Turn 4, 2:36
- Ricardo Lamas def. Darren Elkins via TKO (punches) – 3rd day, 4:09
- Johnny Walker def. Khalil Rountree via KO (Strikes) – 1st day, 1:57
- Ian Heinisch def. Cezar Ferreira by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Marlon Vera def. Guido Cannetti via submission (naked choke on the back) – Round 2, 1:31
- Cynthia Calvillo def. Poliana Botelho via submission (naked choke on the back) – Round 1, 4:48
- Michel Prazeres def. Bartosz Fabinski by submission (chopper starter) – Round 1, 1:02
- Alexandre Pantoja def. Ulka Sasaki via submission (naked choke on the back) – Round 1, 2:18
- Austin Arnett def. Humberto Bandenay by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
- Laureano Staropoli def. Hector Aldana by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jesus Pinedo def. Devin Powell by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Nad Narimani def. Anderson dos Santos by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
For full coverage of UFC Fight Night 140, see the UFC Events section of the site.
Source link
