Santiago Ponzinibbio: An Agreeable Argentine

Santiago Ponzinibbio sounds like someone in lockstep with Ultimate Fighting Championship matchmakers.

The longtime welterweight standout will take on Michel Pereira in the UFC Fight Night 206 co-main event on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, where he seeks to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time in his 14-year career. Still a Top 15-ranked competitor at 170 pounds, Ponzinibbio understands the thinking behind the pairing.

“I think it’s excellent matchmaking,” he told Sherdog.com. “He’s a spectacular, fun fighter. He’s the sport’s most impressive fighter. There’s never been anyone before doing what he does in the Octagon. I’m loving this matchup. I don’t care much about rankings. They don’t usually make much sense. I’ve had good results. I’ve been doing good work. It’s a very interesting fight for the fans of the sport, considering his style and mine.”

Ponzinibbio likes the extra attention Pereira brings to the table.

“We’ll have a great fight,” he said. “Since he has such a great media presence, this bout may be even more important than one against someone who’s already ranked. I’m very happy with this challenge. I know he’s dangerous and versatile. I prepared for that. I worked hard.”

A finalist on Season 2 of “The Ultimate Fighter Brazil,” Ponzinibbio has compiled a 10-4 record across his 14 appearances in the UFC. His run includes wins over Sean Strickland, Court McGee, Gunnar Nelson and Mike Perry. Ponzinibbio last fought at UFC 269, where he wound up on the wrong side of a split decision against Dana White’s Contender Series graduate Geoff Neal on Dec. 11. He spent the ensuing months attempting to correct his flaws at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he trains under a host of world-class trainers, from Conan Silveira, Marcos da Matta to Steve Mocco, Vitelmo Kubis Bandeira and Gabriel de Oliveira.