MMA Preview – Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Li Jingliang at UFC Fight Island 7
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS LI JINGLIANG FACTS
When is UFC Fight Island 7? Saturday 16th January, 2021 - 20:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Island 7? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi (UAE)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Island 7? No tickets are available as this event will take place without spectators
What channel is UFC Fight Island 7 on? BT Sport 3
Where can I stream UFC Fight Island 7? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS LI JINGLIANG LOWDOWN
Two years and two months it has been since Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3) last fought. Injuries and infections have prevented him from improving on his seven-fight win streak and march up to the top of the welterweight division. The last time he was active was in 2017 when he beat Nordine Taleb, Gunnar Nelson and Mike Perry. He returned a year later, on home soil to take on Neil Magny and he notched the most impressive win and knockout of his career, but that seems a distant memory now.
Li Jingliang (17-6) is the man to welcome him back to the octagon after Muslim Salikhov dropped out with Covid-19. He is also coming off a fight with Magny back in March last year, but it was a completely different outcome with Magny earning a dominant unanimous decision. That snapped an impressive three fight win streak which includes a decision over Daichi Abe and two phenomenal knockout finishes over David Zawada and Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos.
SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VS LI JINGLIANG PREDICTION
The key factor here is Ponzinibbio’s form. If he suffers any ring rust this will be an tough outing but if he continues where he left off in his last fight, he will be heavily favoured.
Jingliang is a beast and his striking cannot be underestimated but he will have to mix in some takedowns. If the fight stays on the feet, you have to back the Argentinian regardless of his inactivity. He is one of the best strikers in the division with defence to match his power.
Ponzinibbio will also have a slight two-inch reach advantage which he has the technique to utilise. Jingliang will make this a difficult return for Ponzinibbio but we back him for a winning comeback. Handing Jingliang’s first knockout after two years out would be remarkable but a decision is most likely.
Prediction: Ponzinibbio via Decision
