Why Santiago Ponzinibbio refuses to turn down UFC fights
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight Santiago
Ponzinibbio continues to fight for the love of the sport.
Ponzinibbio (30-9) is set to make his 21st UFC appearance against Sam Patterson (14-3) at UFC Abu Dhabi. The 39-year-old MMA veteran recently explained why he continues fighting.
Ponzinibbio claims he is financially set and can retire comfortably if he wants to. However, the Argentine is forever a fighter at heart and relishes the challenge of every new opponent. While Ponzinibbio has the liberty to turn down offers at this stage in his career, he says he accepts anyone the UFC pits against him.
“It’s what I have in my blood,” Ponzinibbio said in a recent interview. “It’s my instinct. I love to fight. Thank God, I don’t need to fight more. If I want to stop, I can stop. It’s not about money; it’s just about what I love. I love the competition, the challenge. I can say, ‘No, I don’t want this fight because there’s nothing to gain.’ But no, I take every fight. I always take the fight the company gives me.”
Ponzinibbio has fought the who’s who of the welterweight division in his UFC career spanning more than a decade. However, he has dropped three of his last four bouts and is coming off a stoppage loss against Daniel Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Patterson is coming off a decision loss against Michael Page that snapped a four-fight first-round finishing streak.
Ponzinibbio (30-9) is set to make his 21st UFC appearance against Sam Patterson (14-3) at UFC Abu Dhabi. The 39-year-old MMA veteran recently explained why he continues fighting.
Santiago Ponzinibbio explains his mindset before UFC Abu Dhabi bout with Sam Patterson
Ponzinibbio claims he is financially set and can retire comfortably if he wants to. However, the Argentine is forever a fighter at heart and relishes the challenge of every new opponent. While Ponzinibbio has the liberty to turn down offers at this stage in his career, he says he accepts anyone the UFC pits against him.
“It’s what I have in my blood,” Ponzinibbio said in a recent interview. “It’s my instinct. I love to fight. Thank God, I don’t need to fight more. If I want to stop, I can stop. It’s not about money; it’s just about what I love. I love the competition, the challenge. I can say, ‘No, I don’t want this fight because there’s nothing to gain.’ But no, I take every fight. I always take the fight the company gives me.”
Ponzinibbio has fought the who’s who of the welterweight division in his UFC career spanning more than a decade. However, he has dropped three of his last four bouts and is coming off a stoppage loss against Daniel Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Patterson is coming off a decision loss against Michael Page that snapped a four-fight first-round finishing streak.
"Argentina has great potential in this sport."
Santiago Ponzinibbio (@SPonzinibbioMMA) reflects on his MMA journey and the rise of Argentinian contenders ahead of his return against Sam Patterson at #UFCAbuDhabi.@VisitAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | #InAbuDhabipic.twitter.com/HfDyZP15Vr— UFC News (@UFCNews) July 21, 2026
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