United Arab Emirates -  January 16, 2021:    UFC star Santiago Ponzinbbio has paid tribute to Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona ahead of his appearance at UFC NIGHT: HOLLOWAY vs. KATTAR in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night, where he will take on China’s Li Jingliang.

Argentinian Ponzinbbio appeared at Friday’s face-off at the Etihad Arena holding a poster of Maradona emblazoned with the word ‘Forever’. Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, died on 25 November 2020 aged 60.

Ponzinbbio takes to the Octagon on Saturday night as fans return to live events in Abu Dhabi for the first time since the start of the pandemic and is hoping to take inspiration from his hero. 

Asked why he paraded the Maradona poster, Ponzinbbio replied: “He is one of the greatest athletes of all time, he didn’t ever sell himself – he started from nothing and dominated world football.

“He’s an inspiration because he showed nothing is impossible. He was a dreamer, like me. He started from nothing, just like me.”