LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 11: (L-R) Santiago Ponzinibbio of Argentina punches Carlston Harris of Guyana in a welterweight struggle throughout the UFC Battle Night time occasion at UFC APEX on January 11, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC by way of Getty Photos)
With Carlston Harris 2-2 throughout his final 4, and Argentina’s Santiago Ponzinibbio 1-4 in his final 5 fights, Saturday’s UFC Vegas 101 co-main occasion was a key struggle for each males.
Although clearly extra crucial for “The Argentinian Dagger,” Guyana’s Harris was trying to keep away from a second straight high-profile setback beneath the UFC banner.
Ponzinibbio began the struggle by taking management of the centre of the octagon. Strain and piercing strikes have been the secret for the Argentine. Ponzinibbio was touchdown strikes together, whereas Harris was touchdown one after the other. In the direction of the top of the primary spherical, these one strikes at a time turned reasonably efficient. Harris briefly sat Ponzinibbio down, tracked him down just like the Terminator, after which dropped him with a 1-2. Ponzinibbio survived.
Ponzinibbio bought proper on the entrance foot once more in spherical two, pressuring Harris again. Harris was touchdown strikes proper on the button, that repeatedly triggered Ponzinibbio to stumble. Harris’ size was inflicting Ponzinibbio quite a lot of hassle. These two veterans have been going at it.
Ponzinibbio began the third spherical by placing Harris on his again with a takedown, and touchdown leg kicks from a standing place, whereas Harris was on the bottom. Ponzinibbio stumbled Harris with an enormous proper hand, and adopted up very nicely. After a number of stumbling proper arms, Harris crumbled to the bottom after a heavy proper hand. Ponzinibbio landed one other left hook, briefly placing Harris down once more, however when Harris slowly started to regain a little bit of composure, he was instantly rocked once more, and that was sufficient for Kerry Hatley to name an finish to this welterweight contest.
After the win, Ponzinibbio advised Michael Bisping that he hopes to remain lively in 2025, suggesting a spot on the rumored Miami card in April.
Official Consequence: Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Carlston Harris by TKO (punches) Spherical 3, 3:13
