Kamaru Usman vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio In the Works as UFC Chile Main Event

A main event is in the works for the UFC’s first ever card in Chile as Kamaru Usman is expected to face Santiago Ponzinibbio on May 19 from Santiago.

Sources close to the contest confirmed the news on Friday with verbal agreements in place from the fighters with plans to finalize the matchup in the coming days. The UFC has not made any announcements and the fight is not official until contracts are signed. The matchup was first reported by MMAFighting.

For Ponzinibbio, this will be a chance to fight close to home as the Argentinean born fighter will compete in the UFC’s debut event in Chile. Ponzinibbio is currently riding a six fight win streak including back to back wins over Gunnar Nelson and Mike Perry.

As for Usman, the former “Ultimate Fighter” winner will finally step into a main event after asking to face virtually every fighter ranked in the top 10 in the welterweight division. Usman is undefeated in the UFC with seven straight victories including wins over Emil Meek, Leon Edwards and Sergio Moraes.

The welterweight showdown between Usman and Ponzinibbio joins a lineup in Chile that also includes a light heavyweight fight between former champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and former title contender Volkan Oezdemir.