The UFC is finalizing a welterweight matchup between Santiago Ponzinibbio and Geoff Neal for UFC 269, multiple sources told ESPN on Monday.
Both sides have agreed to the 170-pound contest, and it should be made official shortly. The UFC 269 pay-per-view event is set to take place on Dec. 11. The UFC has not announced an official location, but it’s expected to take place in Las Vegas.
Ponzinibbio (28-4) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Miguel Baeza in June. Fighting out of Argentina, Ponzinibbio returned in 2021 from a 26-month layoff. He suffered a knockout loss to Li Jingliang in January before rebounding with the win over Baeza. Prior to January, he hadn’t fought since November 2018 due to injury.
Neal (13-4), of Dallas, is looking to snap a two-fight skid. The 31-year-old began his UFC career with five straight wins but has suffered setbacks in back-to-back fights against Stephen Thompson and Neil Magny. He was limited to just one appearance in 2020 due to health reasons. This will be his second fight of 2021.
A lightweight title fight between Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier will headline UFC 269.