Santiago Ponzinibbio Wants Title Eliminator Against Rafael Dos Anjos
Santiago Ponzinibbio and Rafael Dos Anjos both picked up victories on the main card of UFC On Fox 26.
Although they didn’t meet each other on the card, one Brazilian in Ponzinibbio is suggesting that he faces the other in Dos Anjos in a welterweight title eliminator.
"What else I have to do to show I will be the next champion in this division?” Ponzinibbio said to MMA Fighting. "I’m ready. I want to fight Tyron Woodley. If he doesn’t want to fight now, wants to do surgery, give me Rafael dos Anjos. He just arrived in the division, has three fights in the division, and I won six straight. I think it would be a good fight to determine the next title contender."
Dos Anjos and the man he defeated at UFC On Fox 26 in Robbie Lawler were in a fight dubbed a title eliminator by UFC President Dana White. Outside of defeating Lawler, one thing that Ponzinibbio questions in the caliber of the other opponents RDA faced since moving up to welterweight.
"If Lawler had won, maybe he would go for the title right away because he’s a former welterweight champion, but Rafael dos Anjos just arrived in the division and hasn’t fought that much,” he said. "Who did he beat? Tarec Saffiedine isn’t well, and Neil Magny is… He had a good win over Lawler, but I think he hasn’t done much to earn a title shot. He should fight one more, and a fight with me would be interesting for everyone to watch.”
Current UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley is on the shelf due to a recent shoulder surgery. However, a time frame for the champion’s return has yet to be determined, which could leave an opening for Ponzinibbio’s proposed bout against RDA.
