Santiago Ponzinibbio has plenty of respect for Max Holloway, but he believes this is the perfect chance for Dustin Poirier to finally hold UFC gold.
Santiago Ponzinibbio has been training with Dustin Poirier ahead of UFC 236 and he likes what he sees.
The welterweight contender was one of many fighters who contributed their pre-fight analysis to SBN MMA’s Fighters Pick Fights series for UFC 236’s main event and co-main event bouts. You can read a handful of excerpts below from the full video above.
Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier:
Santiago Ponzinibbio: This is a good, good fight. Dustin is training here at American Top Team with me. There is a lot of focus in the camp and he looks really great. He is no easy fight. Max Holloway has had really good moments, but Dustin has a chance to beat Holloway. I think this is the perfect moment for Dustin. He is experienced but he is still young. He is a complete guy. I think Dustin can surprise.
Jon Fitch: Max Holloway is just too clean with his striking and space management. Poirier is going to have to find a way to get inside. Max is just smooth but Poirier is tough. It will be a really good fight.
Boston Salmon: You know I’m going for Hawaiian. Max and I grew up together. This is a whole different match-up from when they first fight. Max was still a kid. Look at Max now, people say he is big at 145 and now he’s at 155 and people still say he looks big. I think Max has all the credentials to beat Poirier. I like Poirier. He is a very good fighter, he’s tough and has good wrestling. His striking has improved over the years, but overall Max is a complete fighter. If you can’t take Max down it’s going to be a problem.
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya:
Elias Theodorou: Israel is just so long and so good at what he does. Kelvin can definitely get an overhand right and catch Adesanya, but the distance is really going to show itself. I think Adesanya will be the interm champ when it is all said and done.
Beneil Dariush: Kelvin Gastelum all the way. That man has bombs in his hands. To be honest, I think Marvin Vettori beat Adesanya, but Gastelum will finish it. Kelvin is going to put too much pressure on him and I don’t think Israel will know what to do with it.
Curtis Millender: Israel Adesanya, that man is dope. I think him and I are the two best strikers in the UFC right now, as far as creativity goes.
UFC 236 takes place at the State Farm Arena on Saturday, April 13. Keep up with Bloody Elbow for live highlights, updates, and results on all of the night’s action.
[Author’s note: some of these quotes have been condensed for clarity]