ABU DHABI – Just like the rest of the pack, Li Jingliang has his eyes set on UFC gold.
Now with another big first-round knockout win under his belt, the Chinese welterweight thinks he proved a point to viewers that will help him inch closer.
Saturday, Jingliang (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) defeated returning contender Santiago Ponizinibbio in a violent fashion as part of the UFC on ABC 1 main card – a statement win, in his eyes.
“I’m not too concerned about the rankings,” Jingliang told MMA Junkie at the post-fight news conference. “I really (think) the important thing is to let the fans and the viewers see that I’m an excellent fighter. I’m not only here as a participant. I’m here to go after the championship belt just like everyone else.”
Jinliang’s win over Ponzinibbio is arguably the biggest-magnitude of his career – and it comes off a loss he suffered to Neil Magny in March 2020. The lesson, Jingliang said, is that wins and losses are arbitrary in the big picture.
“I feel great like every fighter,” Jingliang said. “Wins and losses are not important. It’s been part of the process. I’m very happy that I was able to win this fight and able to gain experience from it. … Of course, I gained a lot from the last time being a failure.”
Following his fight-ending blow, a looping left hand, Jingliang elected not to hit Ponzinibbio while he was out cold on the canvas. Why? Jingliang said a true martial artist would never do that.
“I knew I landed a pretty clean shot and he was in a defenseless position,” Jingliang said. “There was really no need to go after him. As far as being a true martial artist, there’s no need to go after him to additional injury. That’s why I kind of hesitated and stopped.”
UFC on ABC 1 took place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card simulcasted on ABC and ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.
Li Jingliang hopes UFC on ABC 1 win shows he’s here to win a belt, not simply participate
