UFC: ‘The Leech’ Li Jingliang’s thunderous left lands biggest win of career – and US$50,000 bonus
- A huge blow lays Santiago Ponzinibbio low in the first round and sets Li towards an even bigger fight – and the top 15
- ‘It is awesome to have fans back to watch the fight. It’s 4am in China now and I appreciate all the fans who are watching me,’ says Li
The thunderous, swinging left hook came from Li Jingliang at 4:25 of the first round and landed flush on the chin of Santiago Ponzinibbio.
It sent the Argentine crashing down and stocks in the Chinese welterweight soaring sky high at UFC Fight Island 7 in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
“The Leech” (18-6) is back, and the knockout – the seventh for Li in the UFC – handed the 32-year-old the biggest scalp of an already stellar and extended career. It was later rewarded with a handy US$50,000 bonus.
“I really expected to either knock him out in the first round or Santiago knocking me out, because he is such a powerful fighter,” Li said afterwards. “I would’ve actually preferred to go all three rounds to show off more of my skill set, but it feels great.
“Santiago is such an aggressive, intense fighter and we were prepared for him. The coach told me as soon as the fight began to match his level of intensity, to not back down.”