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Final Preventing Championship (UFC) Welterweight strikers Kevin Holland and Santiago Ponzinibbio will go to conflict this weekend (Sat., April 8, 2023) at UFC 287 inside Miami-Dade Enviornment in Miami, Florida.
Holland enters this combat on an 0-2 skid, however there are some caveats to go together with that truth. Firstly, he stepped up on 24-hour notice to face Khamzat Chimaev, which actually didn’t enhance his odds reverse the knowledgeable wrestler. Then, he was doing pretty properly putting with Stephen Thompson till a broken hand shifted the momentum to “Wonderboy’s” nook. In the meantime, Ponzinibbio’s UFC profession since coming back from a 3.5-year layoff has been something however simple. That’s to not say he’s shedding each combat, however “Gente Boa” is constantly concerned in these grueling back-and-forth wars which can be up in the air until the final moment. It’s nice leisure, nevertheless it’s much more work than simply knocking out opponents simply like he used to earlier than his accidents.
Let’s take a better take a look at the keys to victory for every man:
Kevin Holland
Report: 23-9 (1)
Key Wins: Tim Means (UFC Austin), Alex Oliveira (UFC 272), Ronaldo Souza (UFC 256), Darren Stewart (UFC Vegas 11), Joaquin Buckley (UFC Vegas 6)
Key Losses: Stephen Thompson (UFC Orlando), Derek Brunson (UFC Vegas 22), Marvin Vettori (UFC Vegas 23), Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 279), Brendan Allen (UFC on ESPN 6)
Keys to Victory: Holland is a devastating mixture of size and energy. His punches snap like a whip, and he routinely hurts nearly everybody he fights in some unspecified time in the future or one other. The jiu-jitsu black belt can also be a succesful finisher on the canvas, although he’s been vulnerable to getting outwrestled.
I’ll be blunt: Ponzinibbio is neither as sturdy nor as quick as he as soon as was. Conversely, Holland’s best attributes are his means to take a shot and ship a a lot more durable one. Holland’s mixture of velocity and attain ought to have the ability to assure than he can plant a proper hand on Ponzinbbio’s chin, and I don’t know that Ponzinibbio stays standing after that occurs.
If he does, Holland needs to be sensible. He made the “Wonderboy” combat far more tough on himself by actively refusing to take high place when alternatives offered themselves. Hopefully, he discovered a lesson there, as tipping Ponzinibbio over off a caught kick and dropping bombs from high place additionally reads like a possible path to the end.
Santiago Ponzinibbio
Report: 29-6
Key Wins: Neil Magny (UFC Struggle Evening 140), Gunnar Nelson (UFC Struggle Evening 113), Miguel Baeza (UFC Vegas 28), Mike Perry (UFC on FOX 26), Sean Strickland (UFC Struggle Evening 61), Alex Morono (282)
Key Losses: Li Jingliang (UFC Struggle Island 7), Michel Pereira (UFC Vegas 55), Geoff Neal (UFC 269), Lorenz Larkin (UFC Struggle Evening 70)
Keys to Victory: As his third-round rally knockout reverse Morono just lately proved, Ponzinibbio nonetheless has appreciable energy. He’s now not able to merely overwhelming foes with uncooked velocity and energy, however the Argentinian veteran is hard as nails and has loads of kickboxing craft as well.
Ponzinibbio goes to must gradual Holland down right here, and meaning breaking down his base. Trying again on the Geoff Neal combat — one other very athletic kickboxer with a protracted attain — Ponzinibbio struggled mightily within the early goings. Nonetheless, his mixture of grit and low kicks ultimately turned the tide, and the combat ended up being a really shut split-decision.
As soon as extra, Ponzinibbio needs to be seeking to chop Holland’s calf and punch by means of his mid-section. Between the 2, Ponzinibbio is probably going the higher mixture boxer as properly. When he can shut distance a bit previous Holland’s 1-2 vary, he has to capitalize by staying in Holland’s chest and increasing the exchanges.
If he can put on Holland down a bit, Ponzinibbio’s expertise and toughness may very well be the deciding components slightly than uncooked athleticism.
Backside Line
Somebody’s in all probability going to sleep.
Holland’s again is to the wall right here, whatever the funky circumstances behind his latest losses. “Trailblazer” is 30 years of age, stays unranked at 170 lbs., and simply got here up quick in his step up in competitors alternative towards an older veteran. He’s been given a second favorable match up right here, and if he knocks it out of the park, Holland’s dream of climbing the Welterweight ladder stays alive and properly.
If not, it takes a serious hit.
As for Ponzinibbio, it feels as if that myriad of sickness and damage that sidelined him for therefore lengthy stole his likelihood of capturing UFC gold. Although he’s fought very admirably since coming again, his seven-fight win streak was largely squandered by the layoff. If there’s any likelihood of regaining his earlier standing as a possible title contender, he’ll must upset Holland and construct up a brand new win streak.
At UFC 287, Kevin Holland and Santiago Ponzinibbio will face off. Which man earns the victory?
Do not forget that MMAmania.com will ship LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow protection of the whole UFC 287 combat card proper here, beginning with the early ESPN+ “Prelims” matches on-line, that are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET, then the remaining undercard on ESPN/ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET, earlier than the PPV essential card begin time at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV.
To take a look at the most recent and best UFC 287: “Pereira vs. Adesanya 2” information and notes make sure you hit up our complete occasion archive proper here.
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