News broke late this afternoon that Al Iaquinta would step in for the injured Quinn Mulhern to fight Ryan Couture. The fight will take place on August 31 at UFC 164 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The event is headlined by the Lightweight Title fight between Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis.
Iaquinta was originally scheduled to fight Joe Proctor at UFC 159 in April. The fight was canceled after a rib injury forced Proctor to pull out of the fight. Iaquinta would later pull out of the fight as well due to a nagging knee injury. A now 100% healthy and motivated Iaquinta has been working hard, waiting for his next opportunity to step back in the cage. “I’ve been waiting a long time to get back in there. Injuries set me back, but I’m extremely anxious to get back in the octagon” Iaquinta said.
That call came Tuesday afternoon shortly after Mulhern tweeted a picture of his injured hand to Couture, informing him he would be forced to pull out of the fight. Iaquinta quickly stepped in. “I’ve been training hard, waiting for the call. This is the perfect amount of time for me to prepare” Iaquinta explained.
Iaquinta last fought in the Ultimate Fighter finale last June against Mike Chiesa. Couture, the son of UFC great Randy Couture is coming off a TKO loss to Ross Pearson. Before Couture’s UFC debut in April he previously fought for Showtime’s Strikeforce. Al offered his thoughts on his August match up. “He’s a game opponent” Al said. “He always brings it every time he fights. This is going to be a fun fight to prepare for.”
This will be a unique opportunity to fight in an area in Milwaukee that hasn’t hosted many UFC event’s before. To Iaquinta the location makes no difference. “Wherever the fight is doesn’t matter to me. I’m just excited to get the phone call and get back in there.”
Be sure to check here for constant updates, interviews, video’s, new shirt’s, and much more. I think I speak for everyone when I say all of Iaquinta Nation is extremely excited to see Al get back in the octagon. Iaquinta share’s that same enthusiasm. “I’ve learned a lot in the past year, I’m a new fighter from a year ago. I’m excited to show people what I’ve been working on. I’m going to be the best anyone’s seen me.”
-Matt Pellicane
Iaquinta Nation 