“The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2? finalist Santiago Ponzinibbio (18-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his official UFC debut in November, as he meets Ryan LaFlare (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 32.
The new booking was first reported by Combate, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) subsequently confirmed that both fighters have agreed to the contest. UFC execs have yet to officially announce the matchup.
Featuring a light-heavyweight rematch between Vitor Belfort and Dan Henderson, UFC Fight Night 32 takes place Nov. 9 in Goiania, Goias, Brazil. A venue has yet to be names, but the city’s Goiania Arena is expected to play host.
Ponzinibbio, an Argentinian fighter, entered “TUF: Brazil 2? with a remarkable 18-1 pro record and 16 career stoppages. Ponzinibbio earned his way into the season’s tournament finals, but snapped his forearm in a semifinal win over Leonardo Santos and was forced to withdraw from the final bout.
Despite missing out on the opportunity to claim the season crown, he was awarded $50,000 for earning the season’s best knockout and best fight.
He now meet’s New York’s LaFlare, who built a prefect 7-0 record with seven wins by finish before earning an April call to the UFC. LaFlare kept his record unblemished by scoring a unanimous-decision win over “The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes” competitor Ben Alloway.
For more on UFC Fight Night 32, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
(Pictured: Santiago Ponzinibbio)
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