Iaquinta Nation

  • Contact Al

Raging Al Set to Call it a Career

Posted by MattPel on November 20, 2021
Posted in: Al Iaquinta. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Iaquinta Nation, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, SerraLongo, Team Iaquinta, UFC, Ultimate Fighter. 1 Comment

When you’re a writer or any type of reporter it’s always important to be unbiased. Call it right down the middle for both sides. I’m no “legit” reporter by any means but I’ve always tried my best to do that here. For this particular article some of the content may not come off that way. Al Iaquinta isn’t just someone I’ve covered as a writer/blogger and sold some shirts and tank tops with. He’s someone I’m fortunate enough to call a close friend for over 20 years. As a writer, and just as a friend it’s been an honor and a privilege to be as close to the “action” for all these years, and I can’t thank him enough for that. 

Fearless. A lot of people like to say or think that they are but often it’s just hyperbole, frankly it’s bullshit. Al Iaquinta is fearless. If you look into his eyes during a fight it’s the same look I remember seeing about 15 years ago when we had to wrestle each other in a High School wrestling tournament at Wantagh. It was focus, it was determination, and it was I’m going to beat you and I’ll do it at all costs. As you may have guessed I lost that wrestling match, the same fate many of opponents have felt at the hands of Al. It’s the mindset that set him up to have an incredible career and earn the respect of fighters and fans throughout the world. 

Al is relentless. He’s the hardest worker in the room, as tough as they come, intelligent, durable, a Pitbull filled with a combination of calmness and rage that you or I would never be able to channel or even fully comprehend. He’s fought all over the world, been in wars, he’s beaten top opponents and legends in the Lightweight division, been on the only live version of UFC’s reality show The Ultimate Fighter, he’s had massive knockouts, heart breaking losses, never backed down from any opponent or challenge, ranked at the top of the division for most of his UFC career, fought for a title, he’s been a little destructive in a hotel room after a loss and a little destructive after a win, even told an entire crowd of Virginian’s to f*ck themselves. He’s fought hurt, he’s battled through countless injuries, been told more than once he may never fight again and proven all of those people wrong. 

Al has had an entire town and community rally behind him having us all feel like we were locked in that cage. He’s never been afraid to speak his mind, he’s always known his worth and wouldn’t accept less than what he rightfully deserved. Outspoken, legitimate, never one to sugar coat things, and always authentic. In a world where a lot of people in all different avenues are fake or bending the truth to gain popularity, Al Iaquinta came as advertised. What you see is what you get and that’s becoming a lot more rare in our society. 

Like many athletes Al was handcuffed by the injury bug more than a good portion of his career. Going back to his days competing in Ring of Combat in Atlantic City and dealing with broken hands. An injury that forced him to pull out of his first opportunity to be on The Ultimate Fighter, as well as a knee injury originally sustained fighting Vinc Pichel on TUF Live, and unfortunately lingering for most of his career. During one of those knee injuries and awaiting surgery he found himself in a position not knowing if he would be able to fight again. He recognized that he had to do something a lot of other competitors unfortunately don’t have the means to do. He found another avenue to make himself a career outside of fighting. Putting that same hard work and relentlessness into Real Estate that he had into fighting he’s been able to create a notable Real Estate career opening up other business opportunities in the process. 

Yet with other opportunities in front of him not as labor intensive as getting locked in a cage for a living there was still a fire burning within. There’s that old saying fighters gotta fight. That was the case for Iaquinta. After going back and forth with UFC management about covering a knee surgery, he came back with a lot of uncertainty. He proceeded to knock out UFC Veteran Diego Sanchez in the first round to the surprise of many. Iaquinta holds other notable wins over Ryan Couture, Rodrigo Damm, Ross Pearson, Jorge Masvidal, Joe Lauzon, and Kevin Lee. The injury bug gets us all somehow some way. You can certainly have your own opinion but I’m here to tell you that if Al Iaquinta is just a bit healthier, if his body had held up for him that he has the skillset, the determination, and the mental makeup to be a champion. Take that for what it’s worth, call it a biased opinion, maybe it is. Yet, when he’s at 100% I would put him up against anyone in that division any day.  

On Thursday on his weekly “Call me Al” show the Serra Longo fighter announced that his fight at UFC 268 likely had been his last. “Fighting again? I’m thinking that’s it, man” he said. “That’s the way to go out. Obviously, you want to go out on a win, but this shit’s not worth it, dude. You saw Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje fight. Those guys, they beat the hell out of each other. That wasn’t worth it.” Iaquinta went on to question his own preparation and his will, something he’s never thought twice about in his career. 

“He didn’t knock me unconscious. And I kinda turned and I covered up. I was still conscious and I knew what I was doing. But I kinda just wanted out. That was it” he said. “I realized that he hit me hard. It probably was not gonna be a good night for me. I was not confident in my preparation, in my cardio, my wrestling. These guys are training hard. These guys are training three times a day, two times a day, really hard. My body just can’t hold up to that anymore. It was the first time in my career, ever, that I gave up in a fight.” 

That may be one way to phrase it but “giving up” is not a term I would even still throw around speaking about this man. As far as injuries, and rehab the last year may have very well been the toughest of Iaquinta’s career. Yet he continued to work, continued to push, working to get better physically as well as mentally. For most other people along that part of the journey would have been the moment to “give up”. Al didn’t do that. He fought, and clawed, and sacrificed and got himself back to a point where he was ready to get back on that big stage. That alone is something I think he, and something I know his family, friends, myself included are all extremely proud of. 

Al Iaquinta has given us years of entertainment. It’s allowed family and friends to venture to amateur fights from Rahway New Jersey, to the biggest stages in Las Vegas. He’s taught us the importance of setting goals, that with enough hard work and sacrifice you truly can achieve anything you put your mind to. Al has shown how to be truly be ferocious as a competitor, something that separates the people who just train casually, or are able to turn Mixed Martial Arts into a career. He’s taught us to be humble. Humble in victory, and humble in defeat. To treat people with respect and decency. That anyone can bounce back, as dark of times and as much as your back is against the wall, how to find the will to keep fighting when most others would take the easy route and quit. Most importantly the importance of knowing you’re worth, not being strong armed or pushed around. How to put your foot down even during the most difficult situations and stand your ground. To live life, see as much as you can, do as much as you can. Take that trip, grab that opportunity but to never have fear. They say everything you want is on the other side of fear. I hope for Al he’s been able to achieve whatever those things may have been. I know he has other goals and a lot more he’s set to achieve. 

I’m thankful for this opportunity to “work” with such a close friend shooting videos, interviews, writing articles, marketing, selling, planing events and trips for different fights. It didn’t feel like work at all it just felt like something I needed to do for a friend. I’ve always been passionate about writing, Al gave me a platform to do that and I value this time and opportunity. It’s been a hell of a ride and only the end of a chapter. There’s a lot more of the story to be told. I appreciate everyone reading and checking in here throughout all these years. To Iaquinta Nation, the town of Wantagh, family, friends thank you, and I know Al thanks you for all the support and love throughout the years. It may be goodbye to fighting, but Raging Al isn’t going anywhere. Congratulations on an outstanding career, and thank you for always keeping it real. 

-Matt Pellicane

Fight Night- Iaquinta vs. Green

Posted by MattPel on November 6, 2021
Posted in: Al Iaquinta. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Iaquinta Nation, MMA, SerraLongo, Team Iaquinta, UFC, UFC268. Leave a comment

Once again Iaquinta Nation it’s fight night. Live tonight from Madison Square Garden in New York City it will be the NY native Al Iaquinta taking on Bobby Green in a lightweight showdown. Two competitors hungry for a win, both looking to rebound from tough losses. For Iaquinta theres even more emphasis on picking up not only a win but making a statement. Unlike Green he’s had to sit on his last loss for two years. Taking that time to rehab, mature, improve mentally and physically Al Iaquinta is locked in and set to remind everyone he isn’t to be taken lightly. 

Iaquinta made it clear speaking with the media during the week. “I’m going in there to fight. I’m not going in there to do anything else or put on a good show, I’m going in there to fight and to win.” The Californian fighter Green took exception to some of those comments in a press conference of his own, especially Iaquinta’s comments that he’s looking to have a “flawless victory” relating the comment to the term from the video game Mortal Kombat. Green commented “That sh*t’s a game. That’s a game, this is real life, and now you’ve got to back that sh*t up, that you think you’re going to go in there and not get touched. Everybody gets touched by me. And they get touched a lot.” He went on “You dug your grave with your tongue, you gotta go back that sh*t up”.

Unfortunately for Green people who step in the cage with Iaquinta “get touched” and can take a significant amount of damage while doing so. As far as backing his comments up, backing down isn’t something anyone has seen from Iaquinta before and certainly wont be the case tonight. Green has never been one to steer away from making comments, before, during, or after a fight. Iaquinta has kept his comments to a minimum, if anything praising Green more than anything for his high activity level the last year and unique style. During yesterdays weigh in’s there weren’t any words exchanged between the two, only a long stare down. 

You can throw the quotes, the comments, and everything else out the window. It’s straight forward. It’s Iaquinta, it’s Green, it’s a Lightweight showdown six years in the making. Iaquinta is locked in, motivated, and looking to make a statement in his home state. Iaquinta was asked by News 12’s Jamie Stuart this week if he thought people have forgotten about him? “If they did forget about me over the years, they shouldn’t have.” Iaquinta said. He’ll look to put on an unforgettable performance tonight. Buckle up Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night. Time to go to War. 

-Matt Pellicane 

Fight Preview- Iaquinta vs. Green

Posted by MattPel on November 6, 2021
Posted in: Al Iaquinta. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Iaquinta Nation, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, SerraLongo, UFC, UFC268. Leave a comment
Photo Courtesy of MMA Junkie

In case you haven’t heard, Al Iaquinta is making his much anticipated return to the octagon this Saturday at UFC 268. After a two year layoff due to rehabbing injuries the Wantagh native will return right in his back yard at The Mecca, Madison Square Garden in New York City. He’ll take on UFC veteran Bobby Green in a much anticipated match up six years in the making. 

Al Iaquinta (14-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) meets Bobby Green (27-12-1 MMA, 8-7-1 UFC) this Saturday night on the prelims of a stacked UFC 268 card. The two were originally set to meet back in 2015. Green was forced to pull out of the fight due to an injury being replaced by Gilbert Melendez. Melendez in turn tested positive for PED’s leading up to the fight, costing Iaquinta an opportunity to fight on the card. Once Mixed Martial Arts was no longer banned in New York Iaquinta found himself in position to fight at MSG on the Garden’s first UFC card in 2016, but couldn’t come to terms with UFC during a contract dispute. He wouldn’t fight again until 2017, and not in his home state until he fought Khabib Nurmagomedov at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn. 

1 2

Al Iaquinta- Born to Fight

Posted by MattPel on November 5, 2021
Posted in: Al Iaquinta. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Iaquinta Nation, MMA, Team Iaquinta, UFC. 1 Comment

It’s a tough way to make a living, but someone has to do it. It takes a different type of person to get locked inside that octagon, a different type of person to have the discipline to be a professional fighter. Some fighters have it more than others. Al Iaquinta has it. There’s a drive, a discipline that for a lot of people it’s buried within. There’s certain things that can’t be taught, it’s that “I’m willing to die in there” attitude. That’s what the Serra Longo fighter brings to the table. Yet not that long ago despite all of that Iaquinta was strongly considering retirement. 

1 2

Get your Al Iaquinta “SOLD” cigar for Fight Night

Posted by MattPel on November 3, 2021
Posted in: Al Iaquinta. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Cigars, Iaquinta Nation, MMA, Sigars, SOLD Collection, Team Iaquinta, UFC. 1 Comment

It’s Fight Week! Getting geared up to watch Al Iaquinta take on Bobby Green this weekend? There’s only one way to enjoy watching Raging Al’s return to the octagon and thats with an exclusive Al Iaquinta ”SOLD” cigar. Order today to get this limited time Churchill style cigar for Fight night this Saturday. Visit our friends at https://www.sigars.com/ and order yours today! Time and stock is limited. Don’t hesitate click the link above and order your Al Iaquinta cigar now.

As always be sure to check back here throughout the week leading up to UFC 268.

Raging Al Returns! Takes on Bobby Green at MSG

Posted by MattPel on September 9, 2021
Posted in: Al Iaquinta. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Bobby Green, Iaquinta Nation, MMA, MSG, Serra Longo, UFC, UFC 268, Ultimate Fighter. Leave a comment

He’s back. Following a layoff that last saw Iaquinta in the octagon in October 2019, Al Iaquinta (14-6-1) will return in his own backyard to take on Bobby Green (27-12-1) at UFC 268. The bout will take place November 6th at Madison Square Garden. The two join a stacked card featuring championship bouts between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington for the welterweight title and Rose Namajunas taking on Zhang Weili for the straw weight championship. After a brief contract delay to finalize all the details the fight is locked in, and so is Raging Al. 

Continue Reading

Iaquinta on Sunday match with Perry, potential fight with Poirier

Posted by MattPel on February 18, 2020
Posted in: Al Iaquinta, Uncategorized. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, dustin poirier, Iaquinta Nation, mike perry, MMA, Serra Longo, Submission Underground, UFC. Leave a comment

AlPerrySUG

If you thought this Sunday’s grappling match between Al Iaquinta and Mike Perry was going to be a friendly exhibition of sorts, than you are sorely mistaken. The match will take place at Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground 11 at The Rosalind Theater in Portland Oregon. The event will stream live on UFC Fight Pass.

Both Perry and “Raging” Al appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show Monday afternoon. While Mike Perry seemed unsure about a lot of the aspects of the bout including weight requirements, attire, and even the specific rules, his opponent in Iaquinta is set to make a statement in Oregon this Sunday.  Continue Reading

Iaquinta to take on Perry at Submission Underground 11

Posted by MattPel on January 15, 2020
Posted in: Al Iaquinta, Uncategorized. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Chael Sonnen, Iaquinta Nation, MMA, Serra Longo, Submission Underground, SUG, Team Iaquinta, UFC, UFC Fight Pass. Leave a comment

submission-underground-8

“Raging” Al Iaquinta will take on “Platinum” Mike Perry but not in the setting you may be expecting. Iaquinta will meet Perry in a grappling contest at Chael Sonnen’s Submission Underground. The match will take place February 23rd at the Roseland Theater in Sonnen’s hometown of Portland Oregon. Sonnen held several of these events from July 2016 to April 2018. This will be the first event since that April. Submission Underground (SUG) is a submission only format with the rules being similar to those familiar with Eddie Bravo’s “Eddie Bravo Invitational. The organization has raised a significant amount of interest with grappling and MMA fans and competitors. SUG 11 will be headlined by a Tag Team match between Nick Rodriguez and Craig Jones taking on Vinny Magalhaes and Kyle Boehm. Continue Reading

Fight Night- Iaquinta vs. Hooker

Posted by MattPel on October 5, 2019
Posted in: Al Iaquinta, Uncategorized. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Aus, Dan Hooker, Iaquinta Nation, Matt Serra, MMA, Raging Al, Ray Longo, Serra Longo, Team Iaquinta, UFC, UFC 243. Leave a comment

Alposttitlefight

Once again Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night. The UFC 243 Co-Main Event is one that has fans from Long Island New York to Melbourne Australia excited. “Raging” Al Iaquinta will take on Dan “The Hangman” Hooker in a dynamic lightweight bout. Both fighters have something to prove, looking to do so in front of what will be crowd of almost 60,000 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Dan Hooker will look to build momentum following a knockout win over James Vick, as well as send a big statement in attempting to score a win over Iaquinta. An important matchup for Iaquinta as well as he looks to bounce back following a loss to Donald Cerrone, putting himself back in the Lightweight Title conversation. Continue Reading

Fight Preview- Iaquinta vs. Hooker

Posted by MattPel on October 4, 2019
Posted in: Al Iaquinta, Uncategorized. Tagged: Al Iaquinta, Australia, Dan Hooker, Iaquinta Nation, Matt Serra, MMA, Raging Al, Ray Longo, Team Iaquinta, UFC, UFC243. Leave a comment

AlHookStare

Photo Courtesy of MMA Fighting

Although the Middle Weight championship fight between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya has all the makings of a classic, the Co-Main event for UFC 243 has sparked a significant amount of interest of it’s own. “Raging” Al Iaquinta will take on New Zealander Dan “The Hangman” Hooker in front of 60,000 fans at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne Australia. The fight will be LIVE on PPV and ESPN+ this Saturday October 5th at 10PM EST.

Dan Hooker enters the fight with his stock potentially at it’s highest. Although he suffered a TKO loss to Edson Barboza he responded strongly with a knock out win of his own against James Vick. Hooker has shown knock out power but brings a strong submission game to the table as well. His game continues to improve every time he steps in the octagon. Like his opponent Iaquinta both competitors love to fight and always deliver strong performances on fight night. Continue Reading

Posts navigation

← Older Entries
  • Sign In

    • Register
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.com
  • Twitter Updates

    • Tiny Town! Very interesting https://t.co/a5khQfuSQG 5 hours ago
    • @pyrtbilly Great day on the island 💪🏼 1 week ago
    • RT @SteamRollaa: There’s Something In The Water… #SerraLongoFightTeam #StrongIsland #LAWMMA #SERRABJJ #ComingSoon https://t.co/5GWj0r3yLl 1 week ago
    • @SteamRollaa @funkmasterMMA @raylongomma @MattSerraUFC @MerabDvalishvil @chrisweidman @naz_mma @Greater_LI Haha this is amazing 1 week ago
    • RT @CallMeAlShow: .@ALIAQUINTA has been here the whole time - and he's been SELLING HOUSES! https://t.co/Uz2nWv6CV5 1 week ago
    Follow @Aliaquinta
  • Recent Posts

    • Raging Al Set to Call it a Career
    • Fight Night- Iaquinta vs. Green
    • Fight Preview- Iaquinta vs. Green
    • Al Iaquinta- Born to Fight
    • Get your Al Iaquinta “SOLD” cigar for Fight Night
Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
Iaquinta Nation
Blog at WordPress.com.
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Iaquinta Nation
    • Join 55 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Iaquinta Nation
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...