Santiago Ponzinibbio reflects KO loss at UFC Des Moines: 'I was slipping a lot'
Santiago Ponzinibbio is not going to let a defeat keep him away from his fans and supporters.
Following a TKO loss at UFC on ESPN 67, Ponzinibbio (30-9 MMA, 12-8 UFC) took to Instagram to thank his fans and show appreciation for their support despite coming up short. After a back-and-forth for two rounds in Des Moines, Iowa, Ponzinibbio was stopped by Daniel Rodriguez in Round 3 of their main card welterweight contest. The result put the Argentine back in the losing column, as he was coming off a TKO win over Carlston Harris in January.
Regardless of win, lose, or draw, Ponzinibbio will always thank his supporters.
"Hi friends, as you can see, I'm now back home," Ponzinibbio said in a video post in Spanish. "The truth is that I have a bad taste in my mouth, but I didn't want to not make a video and thank you guys. You guys are always there unconditionally, and have given me incredible support in the good and bad times. The truth is that you guys are part of this engine that pushes me to stay alive after so many years of career and all the adversities that life has thrown at me."
Ponzinibbio said he's had a lingering issue when he steps in the octagon, which has affected some of his recent results. Being 2-5 in his past seven bouts, Ponzinibbio knows this is something that he needs to address quickly.
"I was very well-prepared," Ponzinibbio said. "I did feel in the fight that I didn't have a good base, and I was slipping a lot. That's something that has been happening in my recent fights, and I need to solve it urgently because it limits my mobility game that I have on my feet.
"In the first round, I felt good, but I slipped on the exit, and he capitalized on that and connected some shots. In the second round, I was able to get the distance, and I was throwing a lot. In the third, I came out aggressive, but the same thing happened. I was badly positioned, and I was unable to exit out with the speed that I wanted, and he used that moment to throw his punches and connect on me, and the rest is history."
"There's always technical adjustments that you can do, but fundamentally not having that base and slipping in the octagon is playing against me in a lot of fights. Sometimes I'm able to solve it, and sometimes I can't. It is what it is. This is done with."
Despite almost having 40 professional fights and being 37 years old, Ponzinibbio has no intentions to retire in the near future. He intends on going back to the drawing board, and going for his 40th professional bout later this year.
"We're going to keep moving forward," Ponzinibbio explained. "That's life. I'm keeping my head held high, and I'm coming back stronger. I didn't want to miss this chance and not make this video to thank you all for the love and support. It really makes a difference. I'm always going to fight till the end. I'm always going to fight for my flag and to represent you guys. Thank you."
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