Interviews

Vic Torres Jr. talks Al and a Great Cause

Posted by MattPel on May 4, 2012
Posted in: Iaquinta Nation, Interviews. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This weeks interview is with Vic Torres Jr. Al and I had the pleasure of having Vic as our captain when we were freshman wrestling at Wantagh. Vic was a great teammate and leader who we all learned a lot from. He is an incredible husband and father, as well as an outstanding trainer and fighter. In 2010 Vic was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He’s going to be doing a walk for MS and “Team Torres” this Sunday. I thought this would be a perfect time for Vic to talk about his experience with MS, tell us about the walk he’s participating in, and get his input on Al as well. I really appreciate Vic doing this interview with me and I urge everyone to donate in any way you can to the cause. Continue Reading

Tuesday Chat with Marcel Robin

Posted by MattPel on April 25, 2012
Posted in: Iaquinta Nation, Interviews. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

This week’s interview is with Al’s training partner and friend Marcel Robin. Marcel is a great guy and I consider it a privilege to call him a good friend of mine as well. Marcel, who graduated from East Meadow high school in 2005 has been training with Al for the past six years. He has an interesting perspective not only being a teammate of Al’s but also one of his best friends. I appreciate him taking some time to do this interview and all his great insights. Continue Reading

Iaquinta’s Weekly Newsday Video

Posted by MattPel on April 11, 2012
Posted in: Iaquinta Nation, Interviews. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Photo by UFC

Check out Al in a new version of “TUF Talk” HERE, as he answers some great questions about his trainers, potential quarter final opponents, and much more. As always a big thank you to Mark La Monica for setting these awesome interviews up. If you have any questions you would like Al to answer send them to Mark via twitter (@LaMonicaMark). Check back here throughout the rest of the week for updates, interviews, and be sure to get in touch with me and get your official Iaquinta Nation T-shirt!

Jackie Iaquinta talks about Al

Posted by MattPel on March 29, 2012
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Last week I had the opportunity of sitting down with Ray Longo and getting his perspective on Al Iaquinta being on this Season of The Ultimate Fighter. You can check that interview out HERE. This week were going in a different direction from the gym to Al’s home. Last night I had the opportunity to interview Al’s sister Jackie. She was nice enough to sit down and take some time out of her busy schedule and let me ask her some questions. I really appreciate Jackie doing this interview as well as all her great insights. If you think it’s difficult watching Iaquinta’s fight as one of his friends or teammates, imagine how difficult it is watching as a sister. Continue Reading

Ray Longo talks Al Iaquinta

Posted by MattPel on March 23, 2012
Posted in: Interviews. Tagged: , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Yesterday I had the pleasure of sitting down with Al’s trainer Ray Longo and asking him some questions about Al and his involvement on this season of The Ultimate Fighter. I appreciate him taking the time out of his busy day to sit with me and answer some questions.

Ray Longo’s resume is an impressive one. He’s a world class boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai coach who has trained countless fighters both at professional and amateur levels. His lengthy résumé as a trainer includes preparing 9 UFC Fighters for competition including Matt Serra, Nick Serra, Pete Sell, Luke Cummo, Chris Weidman, Costantinos Philippou, Al Iaquinta, George Sotiropoulos, and Rodrigo Gracie. Ray is also one of the few certified Jeetkunedo instructors under Richard Bustillo, Tom Batell and Paul Vunak. Ray founded IMAA (International Martial Arts Academy) in 1990 and continues to train fighters for all different levels of competition.

Continue Reading