VIDEO: Santiago Ponzinibbio suffers devastating knockout at UFC Abu Dhabi

Santiago Ponzibbio celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

In a welterweight (up to 77,1 kg) bout at UFC Abu Dhabi , held this Saturday afternoon (25), at the Etihad Arena, Santiago Ponzinibbio was knocked out by Sam Patterson in the second round. The Argentinian, one of the most experienced athletes in the division, completes 13 years in the organization and is experiencing a delicate moment in the organization, with six losses in his last eight appearances. In total, he has 12 wins and nine losses in the octagon.

VIDEO: English fighter knocks out Argentinian veteran in the second round.

Sam Patterson stops Santiago Ponzinibbio in Round 2 at #UFCAbuDhabi ! pic.twitter.com/dbAF9jPzKo

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 25, 2026

In the first round, Santiago Ponzinibbio He landed the first significant blow of the fight in the opening seconds. The Argentinian tried to close the distance to work on combinations of hands, but Sam Patterson He knew how to take advantage of his reach advantage, keeping his opponent at a distance and landing cleaner punches to gain the upper hand in the striking exchanges.

See too

VIDEO: Ismael Marreta suffers from elbow strikes and ends up being submitted at UFC Abu Dhabi

Magomed Ankalaev's teammate defeats Brendson Ribeiro at UFC Abu Dhabi.

Check out SUPER LUTAS' predictions for UFC Abu Dhabi, featuring Magomed Ankalaev vs. Bogdan Guskov.

In the second round, both fighters maintained the strategy from the first round. Sam Patterson continued working his straight punches at long range, while the veteran sought to close the distance to connect with crosses. The Englishman found the right time to attack, landing a powerful sequence that knocked the Argentinian down. Ponzinibbio managed to get back up, but Patterson didn't waste the opportunity and finished the fight with a jab-straight combination, winning by knockout.

At 30 years old, Sam Patterson has five wins and two losses in the UFC. The Englishman recovers from his defeat to Michael Page and confirms the evolution shown in his last performances, especially his efficiency in striking. With the victory over Santiago Ponzinibbio , he returns to the winning track and takes another step in his rise in the organization.

UFC Abu Dhabi results

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Magomed Ankalaev defeated Bogdan Guskov by knockout (punches) 2m39s R5

Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Ramazan Temirov defeated Steve Erceg by knockout (punches) at 4:21 of round 1.

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman – fight cancelled

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Magomed Zaynukov defeated Damian Rzepecki by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Rizvan Kuniev defeated Tyrell Fortune by technical knockout (knees) at 1:12 of round 3.

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Abubakar Vagaev defeated Saygid Izagakhmaev by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Valter Walker defeated Thomas Petersen by submission (calf lock) at 1:32 of round 1.

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Muhammad Saidov defeated Dustin Jacoby by technical knockout (punches) at 4:48 of round 2.

Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Sam Patterson defeated Santiago Ponzinibbio by knockout (punch) at 3:06 of round 2.

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Axel Sola defeated Ismael Bonfim by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:44 of round 1.

Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Magomed Tuchalov defeated Brendson Ribeiro by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Nurullo Aliev defeated Mike Davis by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Abdul Hussein defeated Cody Gibson by submission (katagatame) at 3:07 of round 3.

Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.