Santiago Ponzinibbio is going up against Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira on Saturday, May 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event is one of 11 fights on ESPN+. Ponzinibbio is 28-5 in his career, while Pereira is 27-11 in his career. There are a total of 11 fights all on ESPN+ at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira. Let’s look at the bout between Ponzinibbio and Pereira and UFC predictions.
UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 21 with 11 fights all on ESPN+.
UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Vieira Betting
Santiago Ponzinibbio (28-5, 10-4 UFC)
Ponzinibbio came into the UFC with a record of 18-1 and he has 10 wins and four losses in the UFC. In his last six fights, he has four wins and two losses. He defeated Gunnar Nelson by KO, Mike Perry by unanimous decision, Neil Magny by KO, and Miguel Baeza by unanimous decision; while losing to Li Jingliang by KO and Geoff Neal by split decision. Ponzinibbio has been a pro since 2008 and he has 15 wins by TKO/KO and six by submission. He has 15 first round finishes.
“Pereira is one of the most spectacular fighters in the UFC. Nobody has ever done what he is doing,” Ponzinibbio said to the media, “Also, he is coming is coming off four straight wins, building great momentum in the company. And he likes to brawl just like myself, so I thought it could be a great opportunity to give a great show to the fans.”
Michel Pereira (27-11, 5-2 UFC)
Pereira came into the UFC with a record of 22-9 and he has five wins and two losses in the UFC. He defeated Danny Roberts by KO, Zelim Imadaev by technical submission, Khaos Williams by unanimous decision, Niko Price by unanimous decision, and André Fialho by unanimous decision; while losing to Tristan Connelly by unanimous decision and Diego Sanchez by disqualification. Pereira has been a pro since 2011 and he has 10 wins by TKO/KO and seven by submission. He has 12 first round finishes.
Pereira said he expects a war against Ponzinibbio. “But at the end of the day we are both employees of the biggest promotion in the world and we have to be happy to have that opportunity.” Ponzinibbio said to the media, “I have no doubt we are going to have a three-round stand-up war that's going to be always remembered in the history of the division.”
Striking Stats
Strikes landed per minute: Ponzinibbio 4.79 / Pereira 4.71
Striking Accuracy: Ponzinibbio 40% / Pereira 55%
Strikes absorbed per minute: Ponzinibbio 4.51 / Pereira 3.24
Defense: Ponzinibbio 61% / Pereira 60%
Grappling Stats
Takedown average: Ponzinibbio 0.51 / Pereira 1.84
Takedown Accuracy: Ponzinibbio 33% / Pereira 55%
Takedowns defended: Ponzinibbio 60% / Pereira 100%
Submission average: Ponzinibbio 0.0 / Pereira 0.7
UFC Picks
The co-main event on Saturday has Ponzinibbio taking on Pereira. These two welterweights are a bit off the radar but the winner could move into the Top 10 in the rankings. Ponzinibbio returned from more than two years off and dropped two of this three fights. He lost to Li Jingliang, won against Miguel Baeza and then lost to Geoff Neal. Pereira is on a nice run, winning his last four fights.
The UFC odds on this fight are basically a pick. One thing we know about Pereira is that he is going to go right at you and may the best man win. That usually results in a lot of action and a great fight to watch. It has also resulted in a lot of finishes. Ponzinibbio is also a fighter not afraid to mix it up, so these two should be going right at it from the start. The rounds are listed at 2.5 with the over at -175, while the under is +139. I think with the finishing power of theses two fighters we should get a finish, so I will go under the rounds total.
| DATE | FIGHTERS | MONEY LINE |
| 5/21 | Ketlen Vieira | +190 |
| Holly Holm | -245 |
| 5/21 | Michel Pereira | -127 |
| Santiago Ponzinibbio | -103 |
| 5/21 | Dusko Todorovic | +190 |
| Chidi Njokuani | -245 |
| 5/21 | Parker Porter | +418 |
| Jailton Almeida | -625 |
| 5/21 | Jun Yong Park | -215 |
| Eryk Anders | +168 |
| 5/21 | Alen Amedovski | +154 |
| Joseph Holmes | -195 |
| 5/21 | Polyana Viana | +110 |
| Tabatha Ricci | -140 |
| 5/21 | Uros Medic | +127 |
| Omar Morales | -160 |
| 5/21 | Vince Morales | +176 |
| Jonathan Martinez | -225 |
| 5/21 | Felipe Colares | -185 |
| Chase Hooper | +146 |
| 5/21 | Sam Hughes | +143 |
| Elise Reed | -180 |
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