Santiago Ponzinibbio set to face Sam Patterson at UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA Fighting • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 11:00 PM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
Santiago Ponzinibbio will fight Sam Patterson in a welterweight bout at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25. This marks Ponzinibbio's return after a third-round knockout loss to Daniel Rodriguez in May 2025. The matchup follows Patterson's disappointing performance against Michael Page in March, where he also lost. UFC Abu Dhabi will be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr.
- •Ponzinibbio holds a record of 30-9 and last fought in May 2025.
- •Patterson has a record of 14-3-1 and lost his last fight.
- •UFC Abu Dhabi takes place at Etihad Arena.
- •The event features a headliner between Ankalaev and Rountree Jr.
- 11:00 PMMMA Fighting — UFC Abu Dhabi adds former welterweight contender to lineup
- 11:00 PMYahoo Sports — UFC Abu Dhabi adds former welterweight contender to lineup
"LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 11: Santiago Ponzinibbio of Argentina prepares to face Carlston Harris of Guyana in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Santiago Ponzinibbio returns to action at UFC Abu Dhabi. The UFC announced Friday that Ponzinibbio (30-9) is set to fight England’s Sam Patterson (14-3-1) in a welterweight bout on its July 25 Etihad Arena card. This marks Ponzinibbio’s first fight since May 2025. Ponzinibbio, 39, was once on his way to a title shot after winning seven straight fights from 2015-2018. However, the Argentine was hindered by numerous health issues and then lost to Li Jingliang in a comeback fight in 2021. Since that defeat, Ponzinibbio has won just three of his past eight fights. In his most recent outing, he suffered a third-round knockout loss to Daniel Rodriguez. On the other side, Patterson also looks to regain momentum after a disappointing effort against Michael Page this past March. Not only did Patterson lose, but the bout was heavily criticized for its lack of action, as the friends and training partners appeared reluctant to engage. Prior to that setback, Patterson rattled off four straight wins, all by knockout or submission. UFC Abu Dhabi is headlined by light heavyweight bout between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr. See the updated UFC Abu Dhabi lineup below (bout order still to be finalized). Magomed Ankalaev vs Khalil Rountree Jr. Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen Uran Satybaldiev vs. Dustin Jacoby Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki Mike Davis vs. Nurullo Aliev
"Santiago Ponzinibbio is back at UFC Abu Dhabi
Sources
External links- MMA FightingJul 3, 2026, 11:00 PMUFC Abu Dhabi adds former welterweight contender to lineup
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 11: Santiago Ponzinibbio of Argentina prepares to face Carlston Harris of Guyana in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images Santiago Ponzinibbio returns to action at UFC Abu Dhabi. The UFC announced Friday that Ponzinibbio (30-9) is set to fight England’s Sam Patterson (14-3-1) in a welterweight bout on its July 25 Etihad Arena card. This marks Ponzinibbio’s first fight since May 2025. Ponzinibbio, 39, was once on his way to a title shot after winning seven straight fights from 2015-2018. However, the Argentine was hindered by numerous health issues and then lost to Li Jingliang in a comeback fight in 2021. Since that defeat, Ponzinibbio has won just three of his past eight fights. In his most recent outing, he suffered a third-round knockout loss to Daniel Rodriguez. On the other side, Patterson also looks to regain momentum after a disappointing effort against Michael Page this past March. Not only did Patterson lose, but the bout was heavily criticized for its lack of action, as the friends and training partners appeared reluctant to engage. Prior to that setback, Patterson rattled off four straight wins, all by knockout or submission. UFC Abu Dhabi is headlined by light heavyweight bout between former champion Magomed Ankalaev and Khalil Rountree Jr. See the updated UFC Abu Dhabi lineup below (bout order still to be finalized). Magomed Ankalaev vs Khalil Rountree Jr. Steve Erceg vs. Ramazan Temirov Rizvan Kuniev vs. Tyrell Fortune Islam Dulatov vs. Wellington Turman Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Sam Patterson Ismael Bonfim vs. Axel Sola Valter Walker vs. Thomas Petersen Uran Satybaldiev vs. Dustin Jacoby Magomed Tuchalov vs. Brendson Ribeiro Magomed Zaynukov vs. Damian Rzepecki Mike Davis vs. Nurullo Aliev
- Yahoo SportsJul 3, 2026, 11:00 PMUFC Abu Dhabi adds former welterweight contender to lineup
Santiago Ponzinibbio is back at UFC Abu Dhabi
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