Santiago Ponzinibbio’s timing was off right after additional than two a long time absent from the octagon. And Li Jingliang squandered small time creating him pay back.
Competing for the to start with time due to the fact 2018, Ponzinibbio (27-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) whiffed on a huge proper hand in the opening round of their UFC on ABC 1 principal-card welterweight bout on Saturday, and Jingliang (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) responded with a absurd remaining hook that landed flush on the jaw, ending the bout with a knockout at the 4:25 mark.
In excess of the opening 50 % of the initially round, it became apparent that Ponzinibbio was possessing problems locating his assortment, as Jingliang combined small kicks with fluid movement and footwork to effortlessly elude his foe.
Jingliang started to select up the rate, and Ponzinibbio responded, only to be lured correct into the battle-ending sequence, Jingliang landed 1 punch to the downed Ponzinibbio just before referee Jason Herzog waved factors off.
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Jingliang now has won four of his past 5 fights, and his seventh UFC knockout tied him with former winner Matt Hughes for fourth in welterweight heritage. Ponzinibbio had a 7-combat profitable streak snapped.
The welterweight bout was component of the UFC on ABC 1 key card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It aired on ABC and streamed on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+.
Up-to-the-moment UFC on ABC 1 effects:
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Li Jingliang def. Santiago Ponzinibbio by means of knockout (punches) – Round 1, 4:25
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Alessio Di Chirico def. Joaquin Buckley through knockout (head kick, punches) – Round 1, 2:12
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Punahele Soriano def. Dusko Todorovic by using TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 4:48
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Joselyne Edwards def. Wu Yanan via unanimous final decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Carlos Felipe def. Justin Tafa by means of split conclusion (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
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Ramazan Emeev def. David Zawada by means of break up conclusion (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Vanessa Melo def. Sarah Moras by way of unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Austin Lingo def. Jacob Kilburn by using unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)