Ponzinibbio challenges Magny: 'I can beat anyone in the category'

Ponzinibbio comes from four consecutive victories (Photo: Buda Mendes/UFC)

Living the best phase of your career, Santiago Ponzinibbio entered the welterweight rankings after four consecutive victories in the category, but the Argentine wants to achieve greater heights. Currently 14th on the list, the American Top Team athlete challenged Neil Magny, 6th, to prove that they are capable of defeating any opponent in the division.

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“I am aware that I can fight any of the welterweights. Of course, we are growing, becoming more mature and, today, I feel confident, very well prepared to face any athlete. I know he (Magny) is number 6 in the division, I respect him a lot, but I am fully capable of defeating him. I am very well prepared. I'll be ready if the UFC gives me that chance. I'm prepared to beat the best and I want the people to see that. I think I have total conditions to be number 1 in this category. I'm on this path and I want the UFC to give me good fights to keep growing. I'm very well trained, happy with my performance and I want a great fight”, he declared, in an interview with the website 'Combate.com'.

Asked about the reason for choosing Magny, Santiago assured that a duel against the North American would be attractive to the fans, and took the opportunity to praise the qualities of the possible next opponent.

“I chose the Neil Magny because he's a guy who's well ranked, he doesn't have a fight scheduled and I need to fight. I'm also already in the welterweight rankings and I've demonstrated my good work, beating very tough athletes, evolving every day, becoming more technical and more mature as an athlete. He's a great fighter, he's beaten tough guys like Kelvin Gastelum, Erick silva, Hector Lombard and Johny Hendricks, who is a former division champion. He has good jiu-jitsu, is very versatile and, therefore, I think it would be a good fight. I have to show the world that I'm here to fight and beat the best. I think it could be an attractive fight, he has good physical condition, he's looking for a knockout or a submission and he's a guy I like to see fight. And I'm like that too: aggressive, I seek to dominate the duel. It would be a good fight and, if the UFC scores, they won't regret it”, said Ponzinibbio, who added that he would like to return to fight in Brazil, a country in which he has already had three UFC fights.

“When the company scores, I’m ready. It's been a long time since I fought in Brazil and, of course, I would like to be on the June card. I love this country, I have a great affection for Brazilians and competing in Brazil wouldn't be bad at all. But I don't know if it can be included on the June card. Now, when the UFC decides to put me up to fight, I'll be ready. I'm already training very hard and, God willing, I'll soon be fighting again in Brazil”, he concluded.

Santiago Ponzinibbio, 30 years old, was a finalist in TUF Brasil 2, but was prevented from fighting in the final of the program after getting injured. In Ultimate, there have already been eight fights, with six victories – three by knockout – and two defeats.

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