Why Santiago Ponzinibbio refuses to turn down UFC fights

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight SantiagoPonzinibbio continues to fight for the love of the sport.Ponzinibbio (30-9) is set to make his 21st UFC appearance againstSamPatterson (14-3) at UFC Abu Dhabi. The 39-year-old MMA veteran recently explainedwhy he continues fighting.

Santiago Ponzinibbio explains his mindset before UFC Abu Dhabibout with Sam Patterson

Ponzinibbio claims he is financially set and can retire comfortablyif he wants to. However, the Argentine is forever a fighter atheart and relishes the challenge of every new opponent. WhilePonzinibbio has the liberty to turn down offers at this stage inhis career, he says he accepts anyone the UFC pits against him."It's what I have in my blood," Ponzinibbio said in a recentinterview. "It's my instinct. I love to fight. Thank God, I don'tneed to fight more. If I want to stop, I can stop. It's not aboutmoney; it's just about what I love. I love the competition, thechallenge. I can say, 'No, I don't want this fight because there'snothing to gain.' But no, I take every fight. I always take thefight the company gives me."Ponzinibbio has fought the who's who of the welterweight divisionin his UFC career spanning more than a decade. However, he hasdropped three of his last four bouts and is coming off a stoppageloss against DanielRodriguez. Meanwhile, Patterson is coming off a decision lossagainst MichaelPage that snapped a four-fight first-round finishingstreak.