UFC veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio has looked to the future ahead of his clash with Sam Patterson at UFC Abu Dhabi.

For the longest time, Santiago Ponzinibbio has been a consistent presence in the UFC’s welterweight division. He has picked up some big wins throughout the course of his tenure with the promotion, and on Saturday, he will try to get another when he faces off against Sam Patterson.

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Given that Ponzinibbio is 39 years of age, there is every chance that this could be his final showing in the Octagon. At the same time, if he can secure a nice victory, perhaps he has more gas left than many thought.

In a recent interview, Ponzinibbio had the following to say about the possibility of retirement.

Ponzinibbio looks to the future

“I was supposed to fight Jack Hermansson, but he ended up getting injured, and I was offered Patterson,” Ponzinibbio said. “It’s a much different challenge, but it is still a challenge. It’s one of those clashes of generations that the company likes to make, and it’s a great opportunity to show that I’m still good and relevant and that I can hang with the new generation. I’m not focused on him. I’m focused on me.”

“You can try to plan everything in your head, but the truth is that you have to take things day by day,” Ponzinibbio said. “I’m in a chapter where I’m starting to see the end of the tunnel. It’s something I think about, but not something I want. I don’t see it too close because I still feel good. Now, everything is always changing, and you have to take things fight by fight. As of today, I feel great, and I want to be competing, but I don’t plan ahead too much because I know how things work and how quickly things can change.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

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