SANTIAGO PONZINIBBIO’S DEADLY right-left combination proved too much for Gunnar Nelson as he was knocked out inside 83 seconds of the main event of UFC Fight Night 113.
The 28-year-old from Iceland, who fights under the SBG banner and had John Kavanagh in his corner, was left stunned by Ponzinibbio as he suffered the first stoppage loss of his career.
Ponzinibbio pounced from the first bell at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro Arena and followed up a big right by landing a vicious blow with his left to leave Nelson exposed on the campus, before the referee intervened.
Speaking afterwards, Nelson (16-3-1) said an eye poke led to the disappointing loss.
“I don’t like to make excuses, but this is the truth, how I feel anyway, is I should have stopped the fight when I got poked,” he said.
Wooooooow! 😱
— #UFCGlasgow (@btsportufc) July 16, 2017
Lights out for @GunniNelson... Devastating first-round KO from @SPonzinibbioMMA! 👊 #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/NrNUaOYAZX
“I should have stopped it then because I’m seeing two Ponzinibbios in front of me. And that was like that until I remember standing up and the fight was over.”
Meanwhile, there was no fairytale ending for Irish flyweight Neil Seery as he lost his retirement fight to Alexandre Pantoja via submission in the third round of their bout.
The 37-year-old finishes his career with a record of 16-13 (MMA) and 3-4 (UFC).
“When I look back to where it all began, I’m glad I started when I did, and I’m glad it started that way,” the Dubliner said afterwards.
“Back then, when I started, no one ever gave me a chance. Nobody ever gave me a chance. So to think that I was able to move forward to this level. My coaches always believed in me, and they made me believe in myself. When nobody gave me a chance, they did. It has just been a fantastic journey. I’m glad it’s ended now, though.
No, thank you @NeilSeeryMMA! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Kq7PUnEJ0r
— #UFCGlasgow (@btsportufc) July 16, 2017
“The athletes who are in this sport now are just unbelievable, so it’s the right time. I’ll live to fight another day, just not inside the octagon. I’d like to thank every single one of the fans from the bottom of my heart. They’ve been brilliant. They’ve been there every step of the way, and I can’t thank them enough for that.”
There was further disappointment for Charlie Ward as the Portlaoise native was brutally knocked out in the first round of his bout with England’s Galore Bofando.
Galore Bofando with one of the most unique knockouts you'll ever see. 😵
— #UFCGlasgow (@btsportufc) July 16, 2017
What a way to make your debut. 💪 #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/iu5serw3bU
UFC Fight Night 113 results:
- Santiago Ponzinibbio def. Gunnar Nelson via TKO (round one)
- Cynthia Calvillo def. Joanne Calderwood via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Paul Felder def. Stevie Ray via TKO (round one)
- Jack Marshman def. Ryan Janes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Khalil Rountree def. Paul Craig via KO (round one)
- Justin Willis def. James Mulheron via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Danny Roberts def. Bobby Nash via KO (round two)
- Alexandre Pantoja def. Neil Seery via submission (round three)
- Galore Bofando def. Charlie Ward via KO (round one)
- Danny Henry def. Daniel Teymur via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-26)
- Brett Johns def. Albert Morales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)
- Leslie Smith def. Amanda Lemos via TKO (round two)
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