Sam Patterson knocks out Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA Fighting • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 3:23 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
Sam Patterson faced Santiago Ponzinibbio in their welterweight fight at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 24, 2026, earning a second-round knockout. After a challenging start, Patterson turned the tide in the first round and dominated the second, landing a decisive right hand that dropped Ponzinibbio. The fight was stopped by referee Mike Beltran at 3:06 of Round 2. This victory comes as a crucial rebound for Patterson, who had previously lost a decision to Michael Page. Ponzinibbio, a seasoned veteran, suffers another setback, with only three wins since 2021.
- •Patterson defeated Ponzinibbio by knockout at 3:06 of Round 2.
- •Patterson recovered from slow start to dominate the second round.
- •Tony Ponzinibbio, a veteran, has won just three fights since 2021.
- •The event took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
- 3:23 PMMMA Fighting — UFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson scores brutal knockout of longtime veteran
- 3:23 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson scores brutal knockout of longtime veteran
- 3:23 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson blasts Santiago Ponzinibbio with right hand
"ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 24: Sam Patterson throws a punch against Santiago Ponzinibbio in their welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena July 24, 2026 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Sam Patterson got back on the winning track at the expense of one of the welterweight division’s stalwarts. A powerful sequence of punches from Patterson put Santiago Ponzinibbio down for the count in their fight Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi. Patterson shook off a poor start in the opening round to storm back for the impressive second-round knockout. Watch the finish below. Sam Patterson stops Santiago Ponzinibbio in Round 2 at #UFCAbuDhabi! pic.twitter.com/dbAF9jPzKo — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 25, 2026 Ponzinibbio, a 40-fight veteran, beat Patterson to the punch early as he looked to send the Englishman to a second straight loss. However, Patterson weathered the storm, and by the end of the first round he was already turning the tide in his favor. In Round 2, the bigger and younger Patterson completely took over, battering Ponzinibbio with hard strikes until he landed a hard right hand that sent Ponzinibbio falling to the canvas. Referee Mike Beltran stepped in to stop the fight 3:06 into the second. This was a much-needed win for Patterson (15-3-1), who was coming off of a lackluster decision loss to Michael Page. He had won four straight fights prior to that defeat and his past five wins have all come by way of knockout or submission. Ponzinibbio (30-10) suffers another tough loss and has won just three times since 2021.
"Sam Patterson added another knockout to his highlight reel
"Sam Patterson is back to his finishing ways.
Sources
External links- MMA FightingJul 25, 2026, 3:23 PMUFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson scores brutal knockout of longtime veteran
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - JULY 24: Sam Patterson throws a punch against Santiago Ponzinibbio in their welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena July 24, 2026 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Sam Patterson got back on the winning track at the expense of one of the welterweight division’s stalwarts. A powerful sequence of punches from Patterson put Santiago Ponzinibbio down for the count in their fight Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi. Patterson shook off a poor start in the opening round to storm back for the impressive second-round knockout. Watch the finish below. Sam Patterson stops Santiago Ponzinibbio in Round 2 at #UFCAbuDhabi! pic.twitter.com/dbAF9jPzKo — MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) July 25, 2026 Ponzinibbio, a 40-fight veteran, beat Patterson to the punch early as he looked to send the Englishman to a second straight loss. However, Patterson weathered the storm, and by the end of the first round he was already turning the tide in his favor. In Round 2, the bigger and younger Patterson completely took over, battering Ponzinibbio with hard strikes until he landed a hard right hand that sent Ponzinibbio falling to the canvas. Referee Mike Beltran stepped in to stop the fight 3:06 into the second. This was a much-needed win for Patterson (15-3-1), who was coming off of a lackluster decision loss to Michael Page. He had won four straight fights prior to that defeat and his past five wins have all come by way of knockout or submission. Ponzinibbio (30-10) suffers another tough loss and has won just three times since 2021.
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 3:23 PMUFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson scores brutal knockout of longtime veteran
Sam Patterson added another knockout to his highlight reel
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 3:23 PMUFC Abu Dhabi video: Sam Patterson blasts Santiago Ponzinibbio with right hand
Sam Patterson is back to his finishing ways.
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