Once again Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night! After a hectic 24 hours it will be Al Iaquinta taking on Khabib Nurmagomedov for the UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 223 in Brooklyn. A “home game” if you will as The New Yorker Iaquinta will fight in his home state for the first time. In a few days that has seen nothing but mishaps, injuries, and fighters missing weight the dust has settled. Now it’s all about Iaquinta and Khabib with UFC gold on the line.
Both Iaquinta and Khabib have seen ups and downs when it comes to injures over the past few years. Those injuries turned into missed fights, missed time, perhaps missed opportunities for both competitors. Yet now what lies in front of both fighters is the biggest opportunity of all. Fight on the big stage with a title on the line.
Khabib enters the bout undefeated and thought to be one of the toughest not only in the division but in the sport. Many have stepped up, many have failed. None of those have been Al Iaquinta. It’s been no secret that Al has butted heads with the UFC brass. Iaquinta never shy has voiced his opinions about fighters being mistreated, including himself. Injured and not being properly compensated Iaquinta was ready to walk away from it all and focus on a career in real estate. Yet a year later with one devastating knock out win over Diego Sanchez, a new contract, and now a last minute opponent change, that same fighter who was about as close to retiring as you can get is about to fight for a UFC title.
The matchup has all the makings of being an outstanding contest, perhaps the best of all the fighter scenarios over the past two weeks. Will Khabib try and stand with the heavy handed Iaquinta? Which wrestler will be able to out skill the other to take control of the fight? Those two questions alone will be a huge part in seeing where this fight goes.
For Iaquinta, Long Island NY born and raised this is an opportunity of a life time. Through all the ups and downs he’s continued to push forward, keep working hard, improving every day. The amount of time and effort he’s put in over the past ten years, over his life time for that matter all leads to today. It will be his determination, his no fear attitude that will stand out in this fight. There was no one else more deserving of this opportunity. Look for Iaquinta to fight his game, control this fight, and do what Iaquinta does best. Dominate. Get ready Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night. Time to go to War.
-Matt Pellicane
Iaquinta Nation 