Santiago Ponzinibbio declared illustrious citizen, receives key to the city of La Plata after UFC Argentina win

Santiago Ponzinibbio scored another big win just days after UFC Argentina.

The rising welterweight climbed the rankings with a devastating fourth-round knockout win overNeil Magny in the main event of UFC’s first trip to Buenos Aires on Nov. 17, and received the key to the city of La Plata, capital city of Buenos Aires Province, by the hands of mayor Julio Garro on Thursday.

Ponzinibbio, also declared an illustrious citizen of his hometown, was only the fifth person to ever receive the key of the city. In the past, keys were given to Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Ed Sheeran and Alejandro Lerner.

“It’s really cool for me, after all these years away, to come back home and be recognized by my city,” Ponzinibbio told MMA Fighting. “Few people have the key to the city, and now I do. Imagine that, they gave it to the Rolling Stones and now gave it to me as well. I’m thrilled.

”Being called an illustrious citizen of the city is really cool. Being able to help the expansion of the sport and the UFC here is really important for me.”

Ponzinibbio (27-3) extended his winning streak to seven with his win over Magny and asked for a shot at 170-pound titleholder Tyron Woodley. Knowing that Colby Covington might be next in line for the UFC champion, the American Top Team fighter volunteered to face the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Rafael dos Anjos or Stephen Thompson next.