Alex Morono Steps in to Face Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 282

Alex Morono has agreed to meet Santiago Ponzinibbio on less than a week’s notice at UFC 282.

Ponzinibbio needed a new opponent after Robbie Lawler withdrew from Saturday’s card due to an undisclosed injury. The new booking was first reported by David Van Auken on Twitter. UFC 282 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight championship clash between Jan Blachowicz and Magomed Ankalaev. Morono vs. Ponzinibbio will be contested at a 180-pound catchweight.

Morono, 32, is in the midst of a four-bout UFC winning streak. The Fortis MMA representative last appeared at UFC 277, where he outpointed Matthew Semelsberger on July 30. Morono has also earned victories over Mickey Gall, David Zwada and Donald Cerrone during his current winning streak. “The Great White” is 11-4 with one no contest over the course of his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Ponzinibbio, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four bouts and is coming off a split-decision defeat to Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night 206 in his first appearance of 2022.