Once again Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night. The UFC 243 Co-Main Event is one that has fans from Long Island New York to Melbourne Australia excited. “Raging” Al Iaquinta will take on Dan “The Hangman” Hooker in a dynamic lightweight bout. Both fighters have something to prove, looking to do so in front of what will be crowd of almost 60,000 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Dan Hooker will look to build momentum following a knockout win over James Vick, as well as send a big statement in attempting to score a win over Iaquinta. An important matchup for Iaquinta as well as he looks to bounce back following a loss to Donald Cerrone, putting himself back in the Lightweight Title conversation.
Leading up to his loss to Edson Barbosa Dan Hooker was riding a four fight win streak. He brings four UFC knockouts as well as seven professional submissions to the table. Scoring wins over the likes of Jim Miller, Ross Pearson, James Vick, and Marc Diakiese. Hooker’s stock has risen quickly as he has proven to be a dangerous and durable fighter in the competitive lightweight division. In game planning to defeat Al Iaquinta “The Hangman” will look to take a page out of Cowboy Cerrone’s book when he fought Iaquinta back in May. Watch for Hooker to attack with leg kicks trying to keep Iaquinta out of the pocket. Hooker has shown a strong ground game submitting seven opponents in his professional career. He’ll look to put Iaquinta in those difficult positions if the fight is on the canvas.
On the opposite side of the Octagon Iaquinta can look for a few takeaways from Hooker’s fight with Edson Barboza. Where Barboza has arguably the best kicks in mixed martial arts, it’s a model Iaquinta can look to replicate against Hooker. Those powerful leg kicks were the biggest factor in the Barboza fight. For Iaquinta he can utilize those leg kicks to work his way in the pocket. Using those kicks Raging Al can set up his power right. If Iaquinta can utilize those kicks he can set up body shots to hurt Hooker. Hooker has shown when he’s being tagged his pace slows down, while keeping his hands low.
To ensure a victory Iaquinta may look to make adjustments from the Cowboy fight and utilize his wrestling. Raging Al the stronger grappler of the two has the ability to control the fight by taking down the bigger Dan Hooker. We’ve also seen Iaquinta use those take down attempts to set up his punches. In a shorter three round fight expect Iaquinta to pick up the pace and relentlessly pursue Hooker early and often.
When discussing both of these fighters this week the word “tough” has been thrown around often. Both are just that, tough and durable fighters who have shown they can take damage and keep pushing forward. While many will expect this to be a three round stand up war the New Yorker Iaquinta has other ideas. While be interviewed by UFC’s Chael Sonnen who called Iaquinta arguably the toughest guy in UFC, Iaquinta reiterated he’s much more than that. “The tough guy thing cancels out” Iaquinta told Sonnen. “You’re going to see in every sense of the word I’m the better, more technical fighter.” Iaquinta will look to do just that Saturday night. Iaquinta Nation it’s fight night. Time to go to War.
-Matt Pellicane
Iaquinta Nation 