Santiago Ponzinibbio thinks a KO of Gunnar Nelson will get him “really close” to welterweight belt

Later tonight, in the main event of the UFC’s anticipated return to Glasgow, Scotland, Argentine striking whiz Santiago Ponzinibbio will collide with Iceland’s Gunnar Nelson in a crucial welterweight showdown.

Ahead of this fight with Nelson, Ponzinibbio spoke with MMAFighting.com about the contest itself, and where a win puts him in the stacked welterweight division.

“I face every opponent as the most important fight of my life because we have to be successful in order to continue growing,” Ponzinibbio said. “I’m climbing the ladder, moving up the ranking, and in a main event now. I can’t wait to fight. I’m more than ready to battle.”

“The key of this fight is that this is a main event,” he continued. “More people will get to know my work. I do my best every day and fight with my heart. That’s how I fight since I started in this sport. I’ll fight better than ever. It’s a main event, so more people will watch me and see what I can do.”

“Some people might think I’m being put there to lose to Gunnar Nelson. But those who understand about this sport know that I’m coming off four wins with two first-round knockouts and two decision wins in my opponents’ backyards. No one has given me anything, I’ve earned this. After this fight, they will realize I deserved to be in this main event. Every single one of my UFC fights were exciting.”

Ponzinibbio then gave a prediction for his battle with Nelson, forecasting a knockout, which he believes will put him near the front of the queue for a welterweight title shot.

“I see myself knocking him out,” Ponzinibbio said. “I see myself finishing him. I’m ready to finish this fight. I believe I have the potential to knock him out, but if I can’t finish him, I’ll win a decision.”

“I have all the qualities and the tools to become a world champion,” he added. “I believe in that. God and the UFC will decide when that will happen, but I’m ready. After this win, I will be really close to the belt. Five straight wins, beating the No. 8 [welterweight contender], I believe that puts me close to the belt.”

How do you think Santiago Ponzinibbio will do against Gunnar Nelson in the UFC Glasgow main event this evening?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 7/16/2017.