Santiago Ponzinibbio (27-3-0) used some exquisite striking to break down Neil Magny (21-7-0) in the fourth round in the main event of UFC Buenos Aires last night.
Early and often, Ponzinibbio started with a jab that bothered Magny’s eye, but he didn’t stop there. He continued to pepper Magny with powerful leg kicks and strikes that left him bloodied and hobbling for stretches of the third and fourth rounds. Magny tried to counter with takedown attempts, but they were stuffed. A flush right hand off of a counter shoot left Magny face first on the canvas and forced referee Herb Dean to call the bout at  2:36 of the fourth frame.
“Just beat up and disappointed,” Magny responded to reporters in the post-fight press conference when asked how he was feeling. “It just wasn’t my night tonight.”
Ponzinibio used the post fight interview to call out welterweight champion Tyron Woodley.
Laureano Staropoli and Hector Aldana secured Fight of the Night honours, while Ponzinibbio and Johnny Walker earned performances of the night. Each fighter earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
NAD NARIMANI DEF. ANDERSON Dos Santos VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
JESUS PINEDO DEF. DEVIN POWELL VIA UD (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
LAUREANO STAROPOLI DEF. HECTOR ALDANA VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
AUSTIN ARNETT DEF. HUMBERTO BANDENAY VIA UD (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
ALEXANDRE PANTOJA DEF. ULKA SASAKI VIA SUBMISSIN (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R1 2:18
MICHEL PRAZERES DEF. BARTOSZ FABINSKI VIA SUBMISSION (GUILLOTIE CHOKE) R1 1:02
CYNTHIA CALVILLO Â VS. PAULA BOTELHO
Once @Cyn_Calvillo gets you down… watch out! #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/tbSon7EhVx
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
WINNER: CYNTHIA CALVILLO VIA SUBMISSION (REAR-NAKED CHOKE) R1 4:48
ANDREWS PREDICTION: PAULA BOTELHO VIA SD
Andrews:Â I thought Calvillo had weakened over her failed weight cut but clearly she revised her game plan and took out Botelho right away before she gassed. And it worked. I like Cynthia, but she has to make weight.
GUIDO CANNETTI VS. MARLON VERAÂ
Respect. #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/zJww3lX4LV
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
WINNER: MARLON VERA VIA SUBMISSION (REAR NAKED CHOKE) R2 1:31
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MARLON VERA VIA UD
Andrews:Â Cannetti did his best, but Vera eventually got him. Good win.
CEZAR FERREIRA VS. IAN HEINISCHÂ
Sensing his moment!@IanHeinischMMA is on the attack. #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/fuzIlIs8DA
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
WINNER: IAN HEINISCH VIA UD (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CEZAR FERREIRA VIA UD
Andrews:Â Wow! Heinisch came in fresh off DWCS and decisioned a TUF winner. Impressive.
KHALIL ROUNTREE VS. JOHNNY WAKER
The head kick connects!
@JohnnyWalkerMMA #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/s7LBgzNR7y
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
WINNER: JOHNNY WALKER VIA TKO (STRIKES) R1 1:57
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KHALIL ROUNTREE VIA KO
Andrews: Give credit to Walker, he made sure Rountree went out on his shield.
RICARDO LAMAS VS. DARREN ELKINS
Dominating!@RicardoLamasMMA bullies his way to the stoppage victory. #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/0ly9IFaqhW
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
WINNER: RICARDO LAMAS VIA TKO R3 4:09
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DARREN ELKINS VIA SD
Andrews: Good win for Lamas, with some bully to boot.
MAIN EVENT
#8 NEIL MAGNY VS. #10 SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO
These leg kicks 😳 #UFCArgentina pic.twitter.com/Yq6HWPAZf7
— UFC (@ufc) November 18, 2018
WINNER: SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VIA TKO (STRIKES) R4 2:36
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO VIA UD
Andrews:Â Ponzi’s striking took its toll and history was made.
