Santiago Ponzinibbio’s story cuts deeper than just fight stats. Born in Argentina to Italian parents, Ponzinibbio’s blood runs Mediterranean, but his heart beats South American. He fights with that unmistakable Argentine grit—fiery, unyielding, and full of pride.

Now, as he gears up to face Daniel Rodriguez at UFC on ESPN 67, it’s the perfect time to explore the roots of the man behind the gloves. Where does he truly belong? And how did this welterweight warrior carve out his path from the streets of La Plata to the Octagon?

Is Santiago Ponzinibbio Italian or Argentine?

Santiago Ponzinibbio was born in La Plata, Argentina, on September 26, 1986, and even though his parents are Italian, he proudly represents his birthplace. His grandparents are from Sicily, and the ‘Argentine Dagger’ is primarily Italian. The 37-year-old started his combat sports journey as a teenager, and his first stint with combat was kickboxing.

Ponzinibbio developed an interest in combat when he was just 13, as he watched the students in a kickboxing class in a gym in his home country. The black belt in Jiu-jitsu and champion of The Nitrix made his pro debut in 2008.

The fighter, who studied Physical Education in college, has seen it all, as he has worked in almost every sector, from being a teacher to a security guard, an assistant cook to even a book salesman. He never stopped as he had to fulfill his dream of becoming a UFC fighter.

Exploring the UFC star’s personal life and background

Due to his amazing performance in TUF Brazil, despite not winning it, Santiago Ponzinibbio was offered a UFC contract and made his debut in November 2013 against Ryan LaFlare. The ‘Argentine Dagger’ might have lost his first fight at UFC, but went on to win 9 out of his next 10 fights in the span of 4 years from 2014 to 2018.

However, every champion has a setback and it came to Ponzinibbio due to COVID-19 and a severe staph infection. The fighter could not participate for two whole years. The 37-year-old eventually returned to UFC in 2021 against Li Jingliang.

After two tough losses to Kevin Holland and Muslim Salikhov in his recent fights, many thought Santiago Ponzinibbio was fading. But like any true warrior, he roared back. His TKO win over Carlston Harris at UFC Vegas 101 wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement.

Now, another test looms. Ponzinibbio will face Daniel Rodriguez, a dangerous striker with something to prove at UFC on ESPN 67. Can the “Argentine Dagger” slice his way back into welterweight relevance? Or will Rodriguez halt his resurgence? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!