It’s fight week everyone, get excited because Iaquinta vs. Couture is just a few short days away. I know a lot of you out there we’re curious about Al’s week between now and fight night. Al’s busy week starts today with a flight out to Milwaukee which will be hosting UFC 164 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
As soon as Al lands in Wisconsin this afternoon it’s right down to business. Today is a full day of signing autographs for UFC to sell/auction, as well as signing autographs for fans. Al will be taking a bunch of promotional pictures and videos that will be used leading up to the fight as well as on fight night to preview the fight against Ryan Couture.
At some point today Al will find a grocery store to get whatever foods he needs to continue to watch his weight leading up to the weigh ins. The biggest part of his weight cut aside from portion control is cutting all the sodium out of his diet. All that will lead into Wednesday where Al will continue to work out and watch his weight. The hotel has a big ball room set up with mats where all the fighters can work out. UFC monitors all of the fighters weight to make sure everyone is close to where they need to be and not in danger of not making weight.
For fighters who may be new to this situation this is a bit more challenging then cutting weight in your own gym with all of it’s normal amenities. Although it may be different, for Al it’s not a problem as he’s made this weight cut enough times to know exactly what he needs to be doing.
As far as local gym’s there’s always fighters locally who open up there gym’s to any fighters near a venue to come over and train. Former kick boxer Jeff “Duke” Roufus has invited any fighter to come down to his gym and utilize his Milwaukee based training facility.
Thursday becomes a lot of the same. Some light training as Al continues to watch his weight. This lead’s right into Friday where all the fighter’s will weigh in that afternoon right at the Bradley Center(Weigh in’s are open to the public if you’re going to the fight). Al, who at that point is very close to where he needs to be weight wise, will usually hit the sauna a few hours before the weigh in. Once the weigh ins are over Al will go out and have a nice meal with his coaches, teammates, and family. From there it’s relaxing, resting up, and getting mentally prepared for fight night.
The day of the Fight Iaquinta will usually get up and go for a run and some shadow boxing earlier on. He does this to get his lungs working and the blood flowing early. From there it’s another good meal and some down time before heading to the arena. Once he’s there it’s Al’s normal pre fight warm up with his coaches and then it’s down to business.
Continue to check back here for constant updates from Wisconsin leading up to UFC 164. Don’t forget to follow Al on Twitter throughout the week for updates as well.
-Matt Pellicane
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