S. Ponzinibbio (photo) celebrates victory at TUF Brasil 2. Photo: Disclosure/UFC
the argentine Santiago Ponzinibbio is in the quarterfinals of TUF Brasil 2. In the seventh episode of the program, shown this Sunday (28), the representative of the Rodrigo Minotauro He fought a tough battle against Márcio Pedra and knocked out his rival in the first round.
The result confirmed Minotauro's turnaround against Fabricio Werdum. After being at a disadvantage, the green team has four athletes classified in the next phase against two from the yellow team.
The program
This Sunday's episode began with the announcement of the sixth fight valid for a place in the quarterfinals. Santiago Ponzinibbio, from Rodrigo Mintoauro's team, faced Márcio Pedra, from the Fabricio Werdum. But before the official weigh-in, the athletes had a surprise. Former UFC champion Chuck Liddell visited the TUF gym and gave a small class to the athletes.
Liddell, who commanded a team in the first season of TUF in the United States and is currently a manager in the organization, taught the technique of the traditional right swing, a punch that has already claimed several victims in the Octagon. After the class and signing the athletes' gloves, the “Iceman”, as he is known, spoke of his satisfaction in participating in the program.
“It's always great to work with these guys. I can teach them some new things, and that helps me teach better, because if they can't understand what I'm saying, it's because I'm not teaching it right, so it's good for everyone. I learn from them as I teach,” Liddell said.
Weighing
After Liddell's visit, Santiago Ponzinibbio and Márcio Pedra went to weigh in for the match. The Brazilian had to be naked to reach the 77 kg limit. of the category. In turn, the Argentine seems to have had an easier time cutting weight and also reached 77 kg. regulatory.
During the traditional face-off, the fighters closed their faces and even glued their faces together. They then shook hands in a gesture of respect on both sides.
The fight
The fight between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Márcio Pedra was announced as one of the best in the program and the athletes did nothing less. In a frank fight full of alternations, the athletes showed their desire for victory from the first second of the contest.
Pedra started taking the initiative, moving forward and trying to connect kicks and punches. Santiago opted for the counterattack, but it was still effective. Despite walking backwards, the Argentine responded to all of the Brazilian's attacks with force.
Halfway through the first round, Pedra landed a straight right that knocked Ponzinibbio down. On the ground, Márcio reached half guard, but when he tried to apply a choke, his opponent escaped and the fight returned to striking.
At a disadvantage in the fight, Ponzinibbio needed to open the game. The Argentine began to walk forward and land good blows to the Brazilian's face, who also responded shortly.
With a straight right, Santiago rocked Pedra, who even bent his knees. The Argentine took advantage of the moment and with one more punch he took the Brazilian to the ground. Referee Mário Yamasaki, believing that Márcio was unfit to fight, ended the fight and declared a technical knockout.
The decision angered the Fabricio Werdum, who consider that Pedra was capable of continuing the duel. Wanderlei Silva, Werdum's technical assistant, even used profanity to insult the referee.
Next program and the future of Daniel Gelo
With the triumph, Santiago Ponzinibbio He is the sixth athlete classified for the quarterfinals of the competition. He joins Tiago Alves, Viscardi Andrade, William Patolino, Leo Santos and Luis Besouro as the fighters qualified for the next phase.
The seventh place finisher would be Yan Cabral, who fractured his hand during the program and had to leave the competition and was replaced by Daniel Gelo. And soon after Santiago's victory, Daniel's future was decided.
UFC president Dana White contacted the coaches via videoconference and revealed that Fabricio Werdum I had to choose one of the athletes who lost from the Minotauro team to face Daniel Gelo. The duel, which takes place in the next program, will give the winner the seventh place in the quarterfinals. The last place comes from a playoff, which will also take place next Sunday.
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