Is Santiago Ponzinibbio One of the Biggest “What Ifs” in MMA History?

[Dreyga_King of Sherbums]

Sherbros, it’s time to have the conversation about Santiago Ponzinibbio. After watching him knock out Carlston Harris tonight with a vintage performance, I couldn’t help but wonder—is Ponzi one of the biggest “what ifs” in MMA history?

Let’s break it down:
• Pre-Blood Infection Santiago Was a Killer
Back in 2018, Ponzinibbio was on a 7-fight win streak with wins over guys like Gunnar Nelson, Mike Perry, and that beautiful KO of Neil Magny. He was ranked in the top 5 at welterweight and clearly in line for a title eliminator, if not a title shot outright. People were throwing his name in there with guys like Usman and Woodley.
• The Blood Infection That Stalled His Prime
Then disaster struck. A freak blood infection and a series of health complications sidelined him for over two years—years that were supposed to be his prime. It wasn’t just time off; it was life-threatening. Most fighters wouldn’t come back from something like that, but Ponzi did.
• The Comeback Story
Since his return, he’s been up and down. He’s older, his durability isn’t the same, but the flashes of brilliance are still there—just look at tonight’s KO. It makes you wonder, what if we had gotten a healthy Ponzinibbio at his peak? Could he have been a champion?
• Still Competing at a High Level
Even though he’s now in his late 30s, Ponzi is proving he’s still got gas in the tank. To see him deliver a performance like tonight at this stage of his career is incredible.

So, Sherbros, where do you stand on this? Is Santiago Ponzinibbio one of the biggest “what ifs” in MMA? If not for that blood infection, could he have been the guy to wear gold at 170?

Let’s hear it.

TL;DR: Ponzi was a top-ranked welterweight on the verge of a title shot before a blood infection derailed his prime. Now, even in his late 30s, he’s delivering brilliant performances. What could his career have looked like without that setback?

 

[Gang Sign Luke]

I agree. From the time he fought the Icelandic guy whose name I can't even remember, to when he went flawless victory on Magny, I thought he was going to be champ. But idk if he would've beaten Usman or not. It's a real shame. That being said, he's still gutted out some viscious wins in fights that he was losing badly since his return. One of my favorite fighters of the past decade.

 

[Black Blood]

You also gotta be lucky to be the best. Ponz ain't lucky.

 

[13Seconds]

Nah. He was really good in his prime but at that point Usman and Colby were peaking too. Woodley was champ, RDA was looking good and Leon was coming up. Ponz wouldn't have won the belt but it's not about his lack of skills. WW has always been a tough division.

He would've wrecked Till though.

 

[dipstickjimmy]

Look at his KO tonight??? The KO of the guy still standing and throwing back?
Al Hassan was KO'd.

 

[dildos]

Nah he is mid. Always has been, always will be.

 

[Luthien]

Career highlight if you ask me

 

[Thesnake101]

His fight with Platinum was pre-layoff, right? That one was far too competitive for me to think Santiago would've matured into a real top contender given how rough WW was at the top.

He would've had some pretty damn good fights if matched correctly, but I think he would've ended up similarly to Matt Brown as far as results go.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I never vote in these polls they always have such extreme options have have no reflection on how i feel.

I don't think he's that big a what if.

 

[RockyLockridge]

I never vote in these polls they always have such extreme options have have no reflection on how i feel.

I don't think he's that big a what if. He's a solid top 10-15 guy

 

[usernamee]

I agree. From the time he fought the Icelandic guy whose name I can't even remember, to when he went flawless victory on Magny, I thought he was going to be champ. But idk if he would've beaten Usman or not. It's a real shame. That being said, he's still gutted out some viscious wins in fights that he was losing badly since his return. One of my favorite fighters of the past decade.

I forgot about him beating Gunni. IIRC Gunni had him hurt and Ponzi eyepoked his eyeballs out then KOed him immediately afterwards.

 

[dominion]

I can listen to him speak all day. He'd be great on the mic

 

[RockyLockridge]

I can listen to him speak all day. He'd be great on the mic

hes on the spanish commentary team i think

 

[Hank Grill]

damn shame he roided and had to lean off but blood got him eh? He's doing as good as he would have ever done, BKFC and fight circus will enjoy him

 

[Gang Sign Luke]

I forgot about him beating Gunni. IIRC Gunni had him hurt and Ponzi eyepoked his eyeballs out then KOed him immediately afterwards.

He was going out regardless. That entire Glasgow card was brutal from what I recall.

 

[tat2man5k]

Sherbros, it’s time to have the conversation about Santiago Ponzinibbio. After watching him knock out Carlston Harris tonight with a vintage performance, I couldn’t help but wonder—is Ponzi one of the biggest “what ifs” in MMA history?

Let’s break it down:
• Pre-Blood Infection Santiago Was a Killer
Back in 2018, Ponzinibbio was on a 7-fight win streak with wins over guys like Gunnar Nelson, Mike Perry, and that beautiful KO of Neil Magny. He was ranked in the top 5 at welterweight and clearly in line for a title eliminator, if not a title shot outright. People were throwing his name in there with guys like Usman and Woodley.
• The Blood Infection That Stalled His Prime
Then disaster struck. A freak blood infection and a series of health complications sidelined him for over two years—years that were supposed to be his prime. It wasn’t just time off; it was life-threatening. Most fighters wouldn’t come back from something like that, but Ponzi did.
• The Comeback Story
Since his return, he’s been up and down. He’s older, his durability isn’t the same, but the flashes of brilliance are still there—just look at tonight’s KO. It makes you wonder, what if we had gotten a healthy Ponzinibbio at his peak? Could he have been a champion?
• Still Competing at a High Level
Even though he’s now in his late 30s, Ponzi is proving he’s still got gas in the tank. To see him deliver a performance like tonight at this stage of his career is incredible.

So, Sherbros, where do you stand on this? Is Santiago Ponzinibbio one of the biggest “what ifs” in MMA? If not for that blood infection, could he have been the guy to wear gold at 170?

Let’s hear it.

TL;DR: Ponzi was a top-ranked welterweight on the verge of a title shot before a blood infection derailed his prime. Now, even in his late 30s, he’s delivering brilliant performances. What could his career have looked like without that setback?

If they vote that they hate you, don't believe them! You wouldnt be "the people's" poster of the year if we hated you!
(I hate you)

 

[SalvadorAllende]

His fight with Platinum was pre-layoff, right? That one was far too competitive for me to think Santiago would've matured into a real top contender given how rough WW was at the top.

He would've had some pretty damn good fights if matched correctly, but I think he would've ended up similarly to Matt Brown as far as results go.

Yes. But that version of Perry was a bad matchup for Ponzi. He was full of confidence, had a lot of power and a retarded chin. But yes... it was way too close. Santiago could have been lurking in the top 10 for a while but he wasn't championship material. He isn't that well rounded.

Too bad he pulled out of the Marty fight when Marty was coming up. I thought the guy from Nebraska was going to win a decision but Santiago has pretty good defensive grappling so who knows.. we could have a fight.

As a fellow argentinian. fuck it is though to watch Ponzi fight these days. Dude chin is shot and his defense is non existent. He is always like 1 or 2 punches away from being KTFOed and somehow keeps going forward.