A welterweight bout between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Michel Pereira is taking place now (Saturday, May 21, 2022) at UFC Vegas 55.
Round 1
Pereira is moving laterally as Ponzinnibio applies pressure. Pereira misses with a front kick to the body. An accidental eye poke from Ponzinibbio stops the action momentarily. Pereira connects with a front kick to the body and eats a leg kick in response. Pereira lands a big right hand. Pereira momentarily takes Ponzinibbio’s back but lets go. Ponzinibbio with another leg kick. Pereira lands a couple of front kicks to the body. Ponzinibbio gets stunned with a right hand but still has his senses. Ponzinibbio connects with a kick to the body. Pereira returns with his own. Both fighters exchange in the pocket as the round comes to an end.
Round 2
Pereira just about misses a one two. Ponzinibbio continues to put pressure but is struggling to land big shots. Pereira goes kick-heavy and lands big on the legs and body. Ponzinibbio with a jab but Pereira keeps evading most strikes. Both fighters connect in spurts in the pocket. Ponzinibbio finds some success with some big left hands. Pereira may have been hurt as he is slowing down. Pereira comes back with some more aggression. Pereira blocks a head kick. Both fighters exchange and connect. Ponzinibbio times a takedown well and has Pereira’s back for the last 10 seconds of the round.
Round 3
Pereira connects with a head kick but Ponzinibbio eats it. Pereira lands a right soon after. Both fighters exchange jabs. Pereira kicks and lands another right. Ponzinibbio misses a left hook and eats a leg kick. Ponzinibbio connects on the counter as Pereira looks to go for the kill. Pereira blocks a head kick. Ponzinibbio starts to establish a jab. Ponzinibbio connects with a leg kick. Pereira loads up and misses big. Pereira eats a right hand but continues to march forward. Both fighters are swinging wild now. Pereira is wearing some damage on his face. They are now going all out. Ponzinibbio lands a right. He fails with a takedown attempt soon after. Ponzinibbio catches Pereira multiple times towards the end, but the action comes to a close. Very close fight.
Official Result: Michel Pereira defeats Santiago Ponzinibbio via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28).
Check out the highlights below:
Grab your popcorn, @SPonzinibbioMMA vs @UFCPereira starts now 🍿
[ #UFCVegas55 | LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/ZG0qCffJts
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
10 minutes down – drop them scorecards 👇 #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/MH1NdhcFvo
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
𝑨𝑺 𝑮𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑨𝑺 𝑨𝑫𝑽𝑬𝑹𝑻𝑰𝑺𝑬𝑫 👏
Who do you think takes it? 🤔 #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/WYbKV8nWCR
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
🗣 BY SPLIT DECISION!@UFCPereira with the biggest win of his career 💪 #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/xqnxqpiqZA
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
