Santiago Ponzinibbio was last seen in action in the main event of UFC Fight Night Buenos Aires, defeating Neil Magny by fourth round knockout.
There was a point in time that Ponzinibbio had wanted to fight former UFC Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos, but that focus has now shifted his sights on former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.
“The reality is, dos Anjos said in the media that he wanted this fight, but he doesn’t,” Ponzinibbio told MMA Fighting. “He doesn’t want this fight. He never asked for it in the U.S., never made any noise to make it happen. He asked for it in Brazil so he wouldn’t look like a p****, but the truth is he doesn’t want to fight me. I need to fight, man. This is one of the best moments of my career, I’m ready to become world champion and I don’t want to stay inactive. Since dos Anjos really doesn’t want to fight me, I think Tyron Woodley is a great fight. I’ve showed time and time again I’m ready to become champion.”
Woodley last competed at UFC 235, losing the UFC Welterweight Title to Kamaru Usman by unanimous decision.
Ponzinibbio wants to defeat Woodley to put him closer to the goal for 2019, which is to fight for the welterweight strap.
”I’ve done more than Tyron did when he first fought for the belt. I believe I’m ready to fight him,” Ponzinibbio said. “I will knock Tyron out and then I’ll fight for the title and knock Usman out. I will be the next welterweight champion in 2019.”
There has been no response yet from Woodley about the challenge laid out from Ponzinibbio.
