Santiago Ponzinibbio calls out Rafael dos Anjos, dos Anjos fires back

In a recent interview with Combate, surging Argentine welterweight contender Santiago Ponzinibbio called for a fight with former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. It’s his hope that he and dos Anjos can fight in the main event of the UFC’s November 17 debut in Argentina.

“Want to fight in November? Fight me,” Santiago Ponzinibbio said of dos Anjos. “November 17, in South America, let’s do the main fight. Stop being loose and [not] fighting. You have to fight. I do not understand why he’s running out of the fight, being able to put on a big show in South America, near his country. Let’s make a historic event, the first time [the UFC comes to Argentina], a very good opportunity. I do not understand what happens to him. [It’s a] good fight, I can not understand. The guy is running from the fight and I do not know why.”

When Ponzinibbio shared this interview on Twitter, dos Anjos promptly responded. He assured he’s not avoiding his rival, and suggested a fight in Las Vegas, Los Angeles — or in the gym.

Pô Boludo…você acha mesmo que eu estou afrouxando para você? Você me deu uma única opção, mas eu te dou duas:
1. Me avise quando puder aparecer na @rvca para discutirmos isso cara-a-cara. Traz o protetor de boca.
2. Vamos lutar em Vegas ou Los Angeles.
No aguardo.

— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 10, 2018

“Do you really think I’m [avoiding] you?” Dos Anjos said. “You gave me one option, but I’ll give you two: 1. Let me know when you can show up at [RVCA gym] to discuss this face-to-face. Bring your mouth guard. 2. Let’s fight in Vegas or Los Angeles. Awaiting.”

Ponzinibbio then fired back:

If I hit you in your gym, no one’s going to see it. So that’s why we will do this with the @ufc You wanted a fight in November, here you go, already closed. #ChristmasCameEarly @seanshelby @ufc @ufc_brasil @UFCEspanol @canalCombate @danawhite @Mickmaynard2

— Santiago Ponzinibbio (@SPonzinibbioMMA) August 11, 2018

“If I hit you in your gym, no one’s going to see it,” he said. “So that’s why we will do this with the [UFC]. You wanted to fight in November, here you go, already closed.”

Do you want to see Rafael dos Anjos and Santiago Ponzinibbio fight? Who do you think would win? Join the debate in the comments section below.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/12/2018.