G. Neal (right) defeated S. Ponzinibbio (left) in the UFC 269. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Representative of Argentina in the UFC 269, held this Saturday (11), in Las Vegas (USA), Santiago Ponzinibbio had one of the most balanced fights of the show. Dangerous opponent Geoff neal, the welterweight (up to 77kg.) had good moments, but failed to convince the majority of the judges. After three rounds, the North American was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges.
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This weekend's commitment represented Ponzinibbio's chance to advance in the category led by Kamaru Usman. The Argentine, who arrived with morale for the challenge, ended up not being able to repeat the great performance he had against Miguel Baeza, in June 2021.
The subject of great controversy last week, when he was arrested on charges of drunk driving, Neal did not take the problems into the octagon. More precise in his attacks, the North American returned to the path of victory, after two consecutive stumbles.
The fight
The confrontation began with the athletes studying each other in the center of the Octagon. The first blow was applied by Neal, who attacked the Argentine with a low kick. Ponzinibbio responded with a direct shot, but the attack hit his opponent's face without power. After almost three minutes, the American attacked Santiago with a combination of jab and straight shot. Near the final minute, Geoff scored a high kick, but Ponzinibbio responded immediately with a direct shot. Close to the end of the stage, Santiago attacked his opponent and Neal accepted the open exchange, but there was no more time.
In the second round, the initiative belonged to Ponzinibbio, who attacked his opponent with combinations of punches and kicks. Better at striking, the Argentine continued to score with direct strikes, which landed cleanly in the North American's face. After two minutes, Santiago flew into his opponent's legs and managed to take his rival to the ground. Geoff managed to get up and move away from his opponent. With two minutes left until the end of the stage, the welterweights began to exchange blows at close range, with the Argentine having an advantage. Towards the end of the round, the athletes rehearsed a frank exchange, but the timer was reset.
The last round began with the Argentine landing the first blow, with a jab. Neal circled around and tried to mislead Santiago. The duel was 'back and forth', with the athletes trying to get hurt. Although the confrontation was evenly played, Ponzinibbio continued to touch his opponent. Geoff, however, kept walking forward and responding. In the final minute, Neal grew up and landed a clean right on the Argentine's face. The Argentine started to have difficulty finding the distance. The clash ended with the fighters exchanging attacks in the center of the Octagon.
UFC 269 fight list
MAIN CARD
Lightweight: Charles of the Bronx x Dustin poirier – Fight for the belt
Bantamweight: Julianna Pena finished Amanda nunes with a rear naked choke at 3m26s of R2 – Fight for the belt
Welterweight Weight: Geoff neal derrotou Santiago Ponzinibbio in the judges' split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Fly weight: Kai Kara France derrotou cody garbrandt by technical knockout at 3m21s of R1
Bantamweight: Sean O'Malley defeated Raulian paiva by technical knockout at 4m42s of R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Feather weight: Josh Emmett derrotou Dan Ige in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Bantamweight: Dominick Cruz derrotou Peter Munhoz in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28,29-28, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Tai tuivasa derrotou August Sakai by knockout 26s into R2
Average weight: Bruno Blindado derrotou Jordan wright by technical knockout at 1m28s of R1
Average weight: André Sergipano finished Erik Anders with an armbar at 3m13 of R1
Fly weight: Erin Blanchfield derrotou Miranda maverick in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight: Ryan Hall defeated Darrick Minner via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 30-27)
Bantamweight: Tony Kelley defeated Randy Costa by technical knockout at 4m15s of R2
Fly weight: Gillian robertson finished Priscila Pedrita with a rear naked choke at 4m59s of R1
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