LAS VEGAS – It’s been a rough few years for Santiago Ponzinibbio, but at UFC Fight Night 189, he picked up his first victory since November 2018 – and did so in style.

Ponzinibbio (28-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) won a back-and-forth technical brawl by unanimous decision against Miguel Baeza (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) on Saturday’s main card – and picked up a “Fight of the Night” bonus for his troubles.

“I tried to listen to my corner,” Ponzinibbio told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “I tried to not be nervous. He was very slippery, but I tried to (implement) my strategy. (In) the first round, I (didn’t like) my performance, but this just (led into) my second and my third round. I put the real Argentinian dagger (forth) – the real Santiago Ponzinibbio.”

The action-packed fight garnered a widely positive response from fans and reporters alike on Twitter as it played out. Some viewers even called the brawl a “Fight of the Year” candidate. In the heat of the battle, Ponzinibbio was focused, but still could sense something special was unfolding.

“It’s crazy,” Ponzinibbio said. “It goes so fast and there are so many things in your head. … That third round, I started putting (together) punches and I said, ‘Man, this has been fun, man. This is very fun. The guy is giving me punches, too.’ I love this kind of fight. It’s very fun.”

Whatever or whoever will be his next challenge, Ponzinbbio wants to return to the cage as soon as possible. With a 26-month layoff prior to his 2021 schedule, Ponzinibbio said staying active is his main goal.

“Brother, after 26 months that I sat (and watched) the division, doing nothing, I don’t like to take time off,” Ponzinibbio said. “I’d like to make, if I can, two more fights this year. Hopefully, I have the next week to work in Phoenix or work here in Vegas. I don’t care, you know? I’m back to my training, you know? I have this week to relax a little my body, then back to training. Maybe, at the end of August or September, (I’ll be back).”

Perhaps that next appearance will come against top contender Vicente Luque (20-7-1 MMA, 13-3 UFC), Ponzinibbio hypothesized.

“I’d really like to get back in the rankings. Give me a top-five guy, you know? Maybe, Vicente Luque. He’s coming (up) very well. We can do very exciting fighting. I respect him a lot. Maybe we can do a fight.”