Once again Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Day. Please excuse this post for being a little early as I’m driving to Virginia for the fight and won’t have my laptop with me. Saturday afternoon Live on Fox Sports 1 from The Patritiot Center in Fairfax, Al Iaquinta will take on the veteran Jorge Masvidal. Raging Al enters the fight on a three fight win streak where he knocked out each of his respected opponents. Masvidal has won three fights in a row of his own setting up an intriguing match up between the #14 Masvidal and #15 Iaquinta ranked fighters in the division.
Fight after fight Iaquinta has been matched against opponents many thought weren’t in his wheel house. Each time he stepped in the cage and rose to the occasion. Each opponent was more and more challenging, each opponent wound up with the same result. Knocked out. Iaquinta has finally hit his stride and is showing the fight world just how dangerous he is. He isn’t a prospect, he’s a contender.
Next on the list for Iaquinta is the veteran Jorge Masvidal. A fighter who made a name for himself in Strikeforce and since fought his way into the top 20 of the UFC lightweight division. Despite his success here he hasn’t been able to take that next big step. A win against his original opponent Benson Henderson may have done that.This would explain Masvidal’s frustration over the past few weeks. Never the less, Iaquinta has become one of the stand out stars in the division and an opponent Masvidal should not take lightly.
“I’m going for it. No one’s going to stop me. This is my time to get what’s mine.” – Al Iaquinta
Masvidal hasn’t been shy with his comments over the past few weeks. He feel’s Iaquinta isn’t on his same level, a “man fighting a boy” as he described. Iaquinta remains cool and calm as he prepares, mentally and physically stronger than ever. “There are obviously no easy fights” Al told UFC.com “I feel like I can break down all the guys in this division. I’ll come prepared and I will figure out a way to beat them.”
Saturday Iaquinta may find himself in a scrap with the gritty Masvidal. When he does it will be Iaquinta’s ability to remain calm and weather the storm that will give him the advantage in the fight. Iaquinta is in a strong position. His stand up is more technically sound then Masvidal and his wrestling is on a different level. Something to look for in the fight will be the continued improvement of Iaquinta’s jiujitsu. If Raging Al can take Masvidal down look for him to capitalize and look to submit him.
In just about 24 hours these two competitors will strap it up and see who can walk the walk. Masvidal has talked the talked but that can only go so far. Will it be the gritty veteran or the young and hungry Al Iaquinta. There’s one thing people cant deny when it comes to Iaquinta. The opponents get more challenging, the crowds get bigger, Iaquinta just get’s better. Get ready Iaquinta Nation it’s fight night. Time to go to war.
-Matt Pellicane
Iaquinta Nation 