Ponzinibbio not worried about Gunnar Nelson's BJJ: ‘If he gives me an opening, I'll catch him'

UFC welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio talks about his upcoming fight against Gunnar Nelson on July 16.

Preparing for his first ever UFC main event, welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio feels ready to put on the performance of his career. Facing jiu-jitsu ace Gunnar Nelson, Ponzinibbio told MMA Fighting he does not fear Nelson's ground game and could even submit him, if he sees an opening.

"I was already expecting a big fight. I’m coming off four wins with two first-round knockouts and two unanimous decisions in my opponent’s homes, so I knew I’d be fighting for something bigger. I expected an important fight now, and I’m happy to be in a main event against a good athlete like Gunnar Nelson. He has a good history in the UFC."

"I know I have knockout power,” he said. "I’ll be ready for five rounds if I need to, but a knockout or a submission is the consequence. If the win comes earlier, great. I’ll have the perfect strategy. This is MMA, not jiu-jitsu. It’s a different sport. I have great jiu-jitsu coaches and training partners, and I train jiu-jitsu for years. My jiu-jitsu is tight, it's on point. I don’t worry what he’s good at. If he gives me an opening, I’ll catch him."

Santiago Ponzinibbio will take on Gunnar Nelson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 113, in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 16. The main card will air live on Fox Sports 1.