In 2022, Argentina beat France in an epic soccer match to win the FIFA World Cup simply eight days after Santiago Ponzinibbio knocked out Alex Morono at UFC 282.
Now Argentina’s hottest MMA fighter needs to maintain the colab happening Saturday.
Ponzinibbio faces Muslim Salikhov within the co-main occasion of UFC Denver simply at some point earlier than Argentina performs Colombia for the Copa America trophy, and the veteran UFC welterweight has a plan in thoughts.
“Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go, Argentina! We are going to win,” Ponzinibbio chanted throughout an interview with MMA Combating. “Final time, I mentioned I’d win by knockout and we’d develop into world champions, and that’s the way it went.”
Ponzinibbio had tickets for the World Cup last in Qatar in December 2022 however couldn’t journey resulting from work-related obligations, however “gained’t miss the match this time.”
Ponzinibbio completed his camp in excessive altitude to acclimate for Denver, and mentioned his short-term neighbors didn’t like his loud reactions to Argentina matches throughout Copa America. At one level, he mentioned somebody reduce the ability of his condo so he couldn’t watch the match.
This time, nevertheless, Ponzinibbio needs to be on location in Miami to witness historical past.
“I’ll win by knockout after which I’ll catch the primary flight Sunday morning to observe the ultimate,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “Argentina will win the Copa America, little doubt about it. I’m very assured. Sunday morning, after the victory, I’ll catch a flight to see Argentina win Copa America.”
Ponzinibbio and Salikhov each enter the octagon seeking to bounce again from knockout defeats, and Ponzinibbio guarantees the combat is not going to go the gap.
“I at all times go for the end however at all times put together to combat 15 or 25 minutes if wanted be,” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “I don’t suppose the combat will final that lengthy, however the knockout is a consequence. I’m prepared for a 15-minute battle, however there’s an incredible probability it ends early.”
The welterweight duo was first paired to fulfill in January 2021 however Salikhov withdrew resulting from ongoing COVID-19 signs. Li Jingliang stepped in as a alternative and ended Ponzinibbio’s seven-fight successful streak.
The American Prime Staff fighter gained simply two of his subsequent 5 bouts, however feels rejuvenated now.
“I went by a roller-coaster [since then], well being issues and a number of other setbacks that wouldn’t let me carry out the best way I used to be throughout that seven-fight successful streak” Ponzinibbio mentioned. “However I used to be capable of change a variety of issues. You’ll see that Santiago Ponzinibbio on this combat. We managed to make a number of adjustments, bodily and strategically, to cope with the problems that had been stopping me from performing that method. I really feel nice, and I really feel we’ll see a renovated model of Santiago Ponzinibbio that can remind you of that one from the successful streak.”
“I consider I’ll knock him out,” he continued. “I’ve a ton of confidence within the energy of my arms. I wasn’t capable of carry out nicely in a few of my earlier fights for a lot of totally different causes. Once I carry out nicely, I can knock anybody out. I’ve a ton of energy in my arms and I actually do consider I’ll finish this combat by knockout.”
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