Now healthy, Santiago Ponzinibbio eyeing UFC return in coming months

Santiago Ponzinibbio is good to go.

The UFC welterweight contender is ready to make his return to the octagon after sitting on the sidelines for almost a year and a half. The last time Ponzinibbio (27-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) was seen in action was in November 2018, when he defeated Neil Magny in the main event of UFC Buenos Aires.

“I had an injury that put the breaks on my career,” Ponzinibbio told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I was doing well and I was close to a world title, but I’m now recovered and really happy I’m now able to return to the octagon and now I’m looking for a big fight to make that return.”

Ponzinibbio was scheduled to return in December against former welterweight champ Robbie Lawler, but was forced to withdraw due to a staph infection. The infection came at a bad time, as Ponzinibbio was becoming a real threat to the title.

“My work is well documented,” Ponzinibbio said. “I have 15 fights in the company, a seven-fight winning streak, four knockouts, I knocked the No. 8 guy twice, so the work is there. Injuries happen, it’s part of the game, but I’m going to give it my all in my return, win that fight and be right there to fight for the world title.”

The 33-year-old fighter is looking to return to competition in the coming months, possibly as soon as June.

“I think June, around there, I can be ready for a fight,” Ponzinibbio explained. “We’re looking at dates and opponents to close on a good fight. It’s important that’s a big fight because I have seven wins in a row, 15 fights under the promotion, so as soon as we can get a good fight, I’ll be back.”

Ponzinibbio said there were talks of facing former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 250 in May among several other offers. “Gente Boa” is not particularly picky about who he fights, but he does want a specific type of opponent.

“A top five or a big name,” Ponzinibbio said. “Sometimes it’s not a top five, but maybe a former champion like Robbie Lawler, Rafael dos Anjos, those are people who have great names in the company. Or Nate Diaz or (Anthony) Pettis, big names that may not be in the rankings, or a top five who’s not know much but who can give me a shot at the title.”

Despite his inactivity, Ponzinibbio doesn’t think he’ll have to do much climbing to reach the top of the division once again.

“Maybe two, maybe one (win), but I don’t care about that right now,” Ponzinibbio said. “I’m just focused on getting big fights so I can do my job, keeping building my name, and the title is going to come as consequence. I know I have all the weapons to be a world champion and I’m ready, so that’s going to come naturally.”