Check out Al in Newsday today. A big thank you to our buddy Mark La Monica for putting the article together. Don’t forget to follow Mark on Twitter as well as on Newsday’s website for constant UFC and other Mixed Martial Art’s updates. Mark is one of the best in the game and a big supporter of the entire Serra Longo Fight team. Enjoy the article!
Hey everyone a few people have been asking me so I just wanted to get a few important dates out there for everyone. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask me directly at MattPellicane@gmail.com If you we’re thinking about trying to make a last minute move and trying to go to the fight there are still tickets available. I’ll be heading down there as well so I’m happy to help if you need a hand.
Thursday 8/29- UFC 164 Press Conference ( Watch on UFC.com at 4pm ET)
Friday 8/30- Offical UFC 164 Weigh Ins ( Watch on FOX Sports 2, formally FUEL, at 5pm ET)
Saturday 8/31- UFC 164 (Iaquinta vs. Couture LIVE on Facebook at 6:30 ET)
Just to note the rest of the Prelims will follow on FOX Sports 1 at 8pm, and the main card will begin at 10pm ET on PPV. Any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
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. Continue Reading
Talk about how anxious and excited you are to get back in the octagon next weekend.
It’s been a long time. I’m very anxious to get back in there. I’m excited, I wish the fight was this Saturday. I’m ready to get back in there and show everyone what I can do. I think people are going to see me look the best I ever have.
Fighting is your job, what you love to do. How difficult has this layoff been? When thing’s aren’t running smoothly is it a challenge to stay focused?
It’s always tough when you can’t do something you really enjoy doing. That’s one of the main reason’s I’m so anxious to get back in there. At times it can be hard to stay focused but if I can’t train myself I still have all my clients to train which helps me stay on track. Now I’m injury free and training hard. This is the best I’ve ever felt.
Tell us something you feel that’s most improved about your game in the past year.
I’m a lot more confident in executing the things I do well. I think that will help me make moves a lot quicker when I’m fighting Couture. I’ve also trained with a lot of different competitors so I have a great idea of what works or doesn’t work at a high level of competition.
What’s your game plan for this fight? What do you think your biggest strength over Couture is?
I always go in with a game plan that I’ll be looking to execute. One of my main strategies is to always outwork my opponent, especially the longer the fight goes. I think my wrestling is definitely a strength in this fight. I’ve been an athlete and a wrestler my entire life which is a big advantage for me over Ryan as well.
Have you done anything different training wise this time around? Any new training partners you’ve worked with?
Training wise I’ve actually taken the intensity down a notch or two. That’s important to ensure I’m going into this fight healthy which will be a huge advantage for me. I’ve been sparring with 170 pounder Chris Cope who was on the Ultimate Fighter. Chris has been a great guy to train with.
How important is it for you to come in here after a long layoff and not only get a win, but send a message that you’re here to stay, and a guy people should watch out for?
This is a very important fight for me. I’m looking to come in, make a statement, and get back in the win column. That’s the most important thing getting a “W”, and maybe some style point’s a long with it.
Do you have any message for all your fans?
Thank you for all the support I appreciate it, it mean’s a lot. Thank you to all my friends and family as well. I hope you’re looking forward to this fight as much as I am. Make sure you watch my fight next weekend on Facebook!
-Matt Pellicane
Check out Al’s interview with Alchemist Radio. Host’s Mitch Ciccarelli and Bryan Levick put on a great radio blog on Blog Talk Radio. The interview is a great look into Al’s upcoming fight at UFC 164 with Ryan Couture. Al’s interview can be found right around the 1:10 mark. Check out the rest of the blog for some other great interviews as well. A big thank you to Mitch and Bryan for having Al on for a few minutes.
Check out Al’s interview with Jack Brown. Brown get’s some history from Al, his thoughts from his TUF Live experience, his expectations for his fight against Ryan Couture, and much more. Expect another interview from our blog here as well coming up soon. Any questions for Al please feel free to send this way. Thank you for reading.
On August 31st Al Iaquinta will step in and take on Ryan Couture. The match up is an interesting one, and features two fighters who will come in with a chip on their shoulder. Both fighter’s looking to rebound in a big way, both coming off previous losses.
Ryan Couture has been a pro since 2010. As an amateur he compiled a record of 5-1-1. Couture has trained Jiu Jitsu since 2006 and is currently a purple belt under Neil Melanson. Iaquinta a pro since 2009, is a purple belt as well. Iaquinta was undefeated as an amateur. Continue Reading
Al will step back in the octagon next month which means it’s time to get your Iaquinta Nation T-Shirt’s and show some support for #TEAMIAQUINTA. We have shirts and tank tops available in all sizes from S- XXL. Represent Al by wearing the shirts/tanks over the course of the next month (as well as fight night) as he prepares to make his return to the octagon. Shirt’s have started to go quickly. Be sure to get them while they’re still in stock! You have a few options as far as picking up your shirt or tank. You can place order’s by emailing me MattPellicane@gmail.com You can also pick up T-Shirts locally at East Coast MMA Fight Shop (220 Sunrise Hwy Rockville Centre, NY 11570) as well as McCann’s Pub and Grill (5590 Merrick Rd Massapequa, NY 11758) Shirts and Tanks are $25. Fight night is right around the corner. Get yours today!
News broke late this afternoon that Al Iaquinta would step in for the injured Quinn Mulhern to fight Ryan Couture. The fight will take place on August 31 at UFC 164 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The event is headlined by the Lightweight Title fight between Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis.
Iaquinta was originally scheduled to fight Joe Proctor at UFC 159 in April. The fight was canceled after a rib injury forced Proctor to pull out of the fight. Iaquinta would later pull out of the fight as well due to a nagging knee injury. A now 100% healthy and motivated Iaquinta has been working hard, waiting for his next opportunity to step back in the cage. “I’ve been waiting a long time to get back in there. Injuries set me back, but I’m extremely anxious to get back in the octagon” Iaquinta said. Continue Reading
Iaquinta joins the UFC 159 card that is stacked with some incredible fights. Leading up to the main event fights appear live on Facebook, FX Network, and then headlined with five fights on PPV. As of right now it looks like Iaquinta’s fight will appear on Facebook. If that changes well be sure to tell you right here. As far as Iaquinta’s thoughts Facebook or FX makes no difference to him. “I’m just excited to get back in the there” Iaquinta said. “I know my family and friends will be there going crazy.” The fight is right in Iaquinta’s “backyard” at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, just a few hour ride from Al’s Long Island home. As of right now almost a hundred people will travel to New Jersey to support Al.
As far as how your going to be able to view the fight if you aren’t in attendance, that’s just a small technicality. With a card that has so many great fights there’s only so many places to put them. Wether it’s Facebook, FX, or PPV, at the end of the day it all comes down to the fight itself and wherever it may be Iaquinta will be ready to go.
Iaquinta Nation 