UFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson scores brutal knockout of longtime veteran

Sam Patterson got back on the winning track at the expense of one of the welterweight division’s stalwarts.

A powerful sequence of punches from Patterson put Santiago Ponzinibbio down for the count in their fight Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi. Patterson shook off a poor start in the opening round to storm back for the impressive second-round knockout.

Watch the finish below.

Ponzinibbio, a 40-fight veteran, beat Patterson to the punch early as he looked to send the Englishman to a second straight loss. However, Patterson weathered the storm, and by the end of the first round he was already turning the tide in his favor.

In Round 2, the bigger and younger Patterson completely took over, battering Ponzinibbio with hard strikes until he landed a hard right hand that sent Ponzinibbio falling to the canvas. Referee Mike Beltran stepped in to stop the fight 3:06 into the second.

This was a much-needed win for Patterson (15-3-1), who was coming off of a lackluster decision loss to Michael Page. He had won four straight fights prior to that defeat and his past five wins have all come by way of knockout or submission.

Ponzinibbio (30-10) suffers another tough loss and has won just three times since 2021.