Iaquinta Nation

Iaquinta Nation has waited a long time, seven hundred and forty nine days to be exact but once again it’s Fight Night. “Raging” Al Iaquinta will take on Diego “Lionheart” Sanchez in the Co Main event at UFC Fight Night 108. For Iaquinta a long awaited return now two years since beating Jorge Masvidal. 

Iaquinta enters the fight riding a four fight win streak taking on UFC veteran and TUF 1 winner Deigo Sanchez. The road has been a long and bumpy one for Iaquinta. One that left him questioning his future in the sport all together. With hard work and dedication Iaquinta not only got himself to where he needed to be physically, but financially comfortable as well.

Some may ask why? Starting to do well in Real Estate, personal training, why put yourself back in there. I believe it’s simple. Fighters “gotta” fight. It’s just that. It takes a different type of person to get locked in that cage, Iaquinta happens to be just that type.

“Raging” Al will step back in there with someone who frankly is out of his mind. In an organization filled with people considered to be a bit crazier than the rest, to be at the top of the pack speaks volumes. Yet this is a fight Iaquinta wanted. Take on a UFC vet, a legend if you will. An opponent who in his mind feels he can’t be beat. That takes a punch, and another punch, and looks for more. That’s the type of fighter Sanchez is. A fighter who likes to “go to war.” A fighter who gives everything he has in every fight. A true brawler.

Unfortunately for Sanchez, hell be taking on someone else who can take a punch and keep moving forward in Al Iaquinta. Despite the layoff Iaquinta comes in as the younger, hungrier, and more intelligent fighter. Sanchez is a wild man. He enters every fight with no true plan, just ready to brawl. Where that makes him dangerous it also makes him vulnerable. Iaquinta will look to use Sanchez’s aggression against him. Expect to see Iaquinta weather the storm fighting intelligently and dominantly. Unlike other fighters who have taken on Sanchez, Iaquinta will be smart enough to not play into his game.

Fighters have to Fight. This fight puts Al Iaquinta right back where he belongs. Expect to see Iaquinta prevail as the stronger, more tactical fighter in this match up. To frustrate Sanchez and find a way to get in his head. Sanchez says he can’t be broken, but he can certainly be out worked. Raging Al is back and better than ever. Get excited Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night. Let’s go to War.

-Matt Pellicane