Check out this great interview with Al by MMA Heat’s Karyn Bryant. Bryant talks to Al about his experience in the house, re-entering the real world, and his upcoming fight in the Finale with Mike Chiesa. Al gives some of his thoughts on Dana White, and his coach Urijah Faber as well. Watch the video HERE and check back with Iaquinta Nation all week for constant updates. Everyone enjoy the rest of the Holiday weekend.
After a big win over Vinc Pichel last night, Al Iaquinta is headed to the TUF Finale. Once again Al will have to fight a teammate and friend Mike Chiesa. A big congratulations to Al and good luck in the Finale next Friday. Full episode recap coming here soon. Look for coverage for Iaquinta vs. Chiesa all week, including an interview with Al himself who has recently been connected back with the world. Once again thank you for all the support and a huge thank you to everyone who came to McCanns last night. Another awesome crowd as always.
With just a quick one week turn around, once again it’s fight night. Make sure you tune in tonight when Al Iaquinta fights Vinc Pichel in the Semi Finals, LIVE on FX at 10PM. Check out a short video preview from Ultimate Fighter Lives YouTube account HERE. Don’t forget big viewing party and open bar for the fight at McCanns Pub and Grill tonight(5590 Merrick Rd, Massapequa NY, 11758)
Every week each fight gets more important and a little bit tougher. After a dominating performance over Andy Ogle last week, Iaquinta will take on the tough Vinc Pichel in what Iaquinta has once again called the biggest fight of his life. The two will do something that neither fighter has ever done before. Fight in back to back weeks with a spot in the Finale on the line. I discussed earlier in the week that Iaquinta may have a bit of an advantage here. He didn’t get to banged up during his quarter final fight and was able to knock out Ogle in the first round. Pichel went through a tough back and fourth battle with Saunders last week that likely took a toll on his body physically. This could have effected his training as well during the week.
Photo by UFC
Regardless of what happened last week, its time to get back in the cage in a crucial Semi Final fight that will send one fighter to the Finals. Pichel seems like he’s looking ahead. More then once he’s commented saying “when I beat Al” or “once I beat Al and I’m in the finals.” I’m sorry but with all due respect, that’s bull shit. Al is way to tough of an opponent to just be looking past him like that. Al has once again done the opposite. All he’s talked about is his Semi Final fight this week, the “biggest” fight of his life. Al has worked way to hard and come way to far. He’s comeback from a hand injury that most people said he couldn’t. He beat a guy to get into the house that many said he wasn’t on the same level as. He outworked Myles Jury in three rounds when most said Jury would “pick him a part”. Every time someone has doubted him he’s come through and proven them wrong. Tonight he’ll do that again. He’s one step closer to achieving his dream, as well as a UFC contract and he won’t accept failure. Last week he sent a message and now people are really starting to pay attention. Al Iaquinta is fighting with a purpose, and he won’t stop until he’s the last one standing. Get excited Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Night. Lets go to War.
-Matt Pellicane
Photo by UFC
This Friday it will be two big Semi Final fights on the Ultimate Fighter Live. Mike Chiesa will face off against James Vick, and Al Iaquinta taking on Vinc Pichel. Where Chiesa and Vick have had had two weeks to recover, Iaquinta and Pichel will deal with a quick turn around fighting in back to back weeks. “It’s kind of crazy, I’ve never fought week after week like this” Pichel said. “Definitely some pressure keeping my weight down.” What works in Iaquinta’s favor is the fact that his fight last week wasn’t as much of a grind as Pichel’s, and not as much of a toll physically. Continue Reading
This Friday’s Semi Final Fights between Mike Chiesa and James Vick, and Al Iaquinta and Vinc Pichel will decide who’s going to earn their spot in the Finals on June 1st. Other fights on the card will feature Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampann, Jonathan Brookins vs. Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway vs. Pat Schilling. Today on the TUF Live TWITTER account the rest of the under card was announced featuring the fighters from the TUF House. Some very interesting fights, but the biggest question still remains. Which two fighters will be in the finale fighting for that UFC contract? Much more Iaquinta vs. Pichel coverage later today.
John Cofer Vs. Justin Lawrence
Daron Cruickshank Vs. Chris Tickle
Cristiano Marcello Vs. Sam Sicilia
Joe Proctor Vs. Jeremy Larsen
Chris Saunders Vs. Myles Jury
Photo by UFC
Check out this VIDEO from Ultimate Fighter’s website titled “Head Games.” Get inside the minds of Al Iaquinta as well as Vinc Pichel before and after their quarter final fights. Both fighters also give some input on their Semi Final fight this Friday Night. Iaquinta once again discusses the challenge of fighting a teammate, and what a strange experience that was. Be sure to continue to check here all week for updated coverage on Al heading into the Semi Finals.
Jon Anik and Al Iaquinta
Check out Al in this weeks Episode of “Anik Attack” featuring UFC’s Jon Anik. Anik does a great job with his work on the Ultimate Fighter Live, as well as his outstanding commentary on different UFC events. Anik recently just did the commentary along side Kenny Florian during UFC on Fuel. Watch this weeks “Anik Attack” HERE where Anik discusses Iaquinta’s fight with Andy Ogle, and takes a look into his opponent this Friday Vinc Pichel. Jon touches on the other Semi Final fight between Mike Chiesa and James Vick as well. Enjoy, and be sure to check here all week for lots of Semi Final coverage.
Photo by UFC
Al Iaquinta sent a message to everyone in the TUF house, and everyone watching the show Friday night. He is not to be taken lightly, and showed that he’s one of the toughest, hardest working fighters on the show. The tough Andy Ogle was no match for the quickness and impressive striking of Iaquinta, who picked Ogle a part before knocking him out at the end of the first round. That’s where it all ended let’s take a minute to go back where Friday’s episode began. Continue Reading
Al Iaquinta made a statement last night. He showed people that he’s the guy who is not to be messed with in this tournament. With a big knock out win over Andy Ogle in the first round Iaquinta moves to the semi-finals where he’ll fight Vinc Pichel next week. Check back here later today for a full fight recap and much more. A big thank you to everyone who came to McCanns last night to watch the fight. As always it was a great time, and I appreciate everyone coming down.
It’s been about a month and a half since his last fight with Myles Jury, but it’s finally time for Al Iaquinta to get back in the cage. He’ll do that tonight when he fights his friend and teammate Andy Ogle in a crucial quarter final fight. Make sure to watch the fight LIVE on FX at 10 PM.(Don’t forget big viewing party and open bar at McCann’s Pub and Grill, Massapequa NY.) The two have talked throughout the week about the challenges of fighting someone who they’ve worked with and become close with over the past few months. “Living in the same room as Andy can be awkward” Iaquinta said, “I’ve been laying in bed all night thinking about ways to beat him up, I’m sure he’s probably doing the same.” Al also went on to touch on the personality of Ogle. “He’s really good at conveying his emotions to people, which is something I’m not really good at. I envy him because of that aspect, I kind of want to beat him up because of it also.” Continue Reading
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