Although last night the focus was in Brooklyn for UFC 208, there was breaking news announced during the card for one of New York’s fan favorites. Serra Longo’s Al Iaquinta will make his return to the octagon at UFC Fight Night Swanson vs. Lobov. The fight will take place April 22nd Live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville Tennessee. Iaquinta will take on veteran and Ultimate Fighter Season 1 alumni Diego “The Nightmare” Sanchez.
Back in July the UFC sold for an astronomical 4 billion dollars. Yet despite that, and with the new Reebok sponsorship deal in place, fighters aren’t seeing changes financially. One of those fighters happens to be ranked 13th in the lightweight division. Al Iaquinta has taken a stand, one that may help other martial artists fighting for the promotion put things into perspective. That these athletes putting their bodies on the line through training, and on fight night, are not being properly compensated or represented.
Today, Iaquinta made his decision well known. He would currently remain off the UFC 205 card in a contract dispute. UFC 205 is the first in New York, at the Worlds most Famous Arena Madison Square Garden. A card that just about every New York fighter is scratching and clawing to become a part of. For Iaquinta it’s become much more. It’s become making a long term life decision, and a moral decision. Over fighting in an arena he’s dreamt about fighting in since entering the sport. With the current deal in place if Iaquinta were to lose the fight, it would be “like fighting at MSG for free” He explained. Continue Reading
It appears fight fans and Iaquinta Nation may get to see Al Iaquinta back in the octagon sooner than expected. After a second opinion on his injured knee, the 155 pound stand out will avoid going under the knife to fix the damaged cartilage. Instead Iaquinta will undergo stem cell injections and plasma therapy. This will keep Iaquinta out for a significantly shorter amount of time, lining him up for a return at the new year. Continue Reading
Tonight I had planned to post a preview to what had the makings to be an incredible fight between Al Iaquinta and Gilbert Melendez. Unfortunately news broke late this afternoon that that exciting light weight bout wasn’t going to happen. Gilbert Melendez has tested positive for testosterone metabolites, present from an outside source. Melendez failed a urine test following his UFC 188 loss to Eddie Alvarez. The light weight has come clean admitting to his use of a banned substance, apologizing to fans and the UFC today. Melendez will be suspended for one year. Continue Reading
A lot can change in 24 hours. Yesterday it was announced that Al Iaquinta’s opponent Bobby Green would be forced to pull out of the July 15th fight in San Diego. Just a day later Iaquinta has a new opponent in Gilbert Melendez. Melendez will step back into the octagon after a quick turn around, coming off a loss to Eddie Alvarez this past weekend.
Fight fans were looking forward to the match up between Green and Iaquinta after several words had been exchanged between both fighters. For now that will have to be put on hold as Iaquinta will refocus for Gilbert Melendez. Another solid match up for the Serra Longo based fighter. The gritty Melendez is currently ranked 5th in the lightweight division where Iaquinta is respectfully ranked 13th. A win here would undoubtedly move Iaquinta into the top 10 in the division.
Iaquinta is riding a four fight win streak most recently defeating Jorge Masvidal via split decision. Leading up to that fight Iaquinta scored knock out wins over Rodrigo Damm, Ross Pearson and Joe Lauzon. Melendez only has a handful of fights in the UFC but has recorded victories over Diego Sanchez, Josh Thomson, Clay Guida, and Iaquinta’s last opponent Jorge Masvidal in Strikeforce where most of his bouts took place. Interestedly enough he’s fought and lost to both former UFC Lightweight champions Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis.
UFC Fight Night 71 will take place on July 15th Live from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. Iaquinta and Melendez will be the Co Main Event which will be headlined by Frank Mir vs. Todd Duffee.
-Matt Pellicane
Al Iaquinta will step back in the octagon July 15th, next on the list tough light weight competitor Bobby Green. UFC Fight Night 71 will take place in San Diego at the Valley View Casino Center. The fight will appear live on Fox Sports 1. Another big fight for Iaquinta who is currently ranked #13 in the power rankings, fighting Green who is currently ranked #11. The winner would likely break there way into the top 10 in the division.
Iaquinta enters the contest following a split decision win over Jorge Masvidal. Raging Al (12-3-1) enters the fight on a four fight win streak, three of which by knock out. Iaquinta received more attention after a hard fought victory agaisnt Masvidal for his comments following the fight in Fairfax Virginia. Fans booed the decision and Iaquinta was, well let’s just say less then thrilled with the reception. This will be his next opportunity for Al to fight in front of a big crowd since that occurred. Continue Reading
“I don’t lose in the late rounds. The third round belongs to me.” That’s a statement that came from light weight Al Iaquinta a few years ago, and one that stood true yesterday. It’s not only describes the Serra Longo fighters conditioning, but his determination and will power. He showed that yesterday against Jorge Masvidal.
Iaquinta and Masvidal squared off in the Co Main event at UFC Fight Night 63 where it was Iaquinta winning a tight, hard fought split decision over Masvidal. Iaquinta got after Masvidal early who kept his defense tight avoiding any major damage. Masvidal was able to keep his distance with his long reach, keeping both fighters working on their feet. Late in the round after a tough exchange between the two Iaquinta attempted a heel hook to avoid what could have been more damage. In the next exchange Masvidal was able to drop Al and cut him under his right eye. Continue Reading
Once again Iaquinta Nation it’s Fight Day. Please excuse this post for being a little early as I’m driving to Virginia for the fight and won’t have my laptop with me. Saturday afternoon Live on Fox Sports 1 from The Patritiot Center in Fairfax, Al Iaquinta will take on the veteran Jorge Masvidal. Raging Al enters the fight on a three fight win streak where he knocked out each of his respected opponents. Masvidal has won three fights in a row of his own setting up an intriguing match up between the #14 Masvidal and #15 Iaquinta ranked fighters in the division. Continue Reading
Here’s a few videos and articles to catch up on leading up to Saturday’s Co Main Event between Al Iaquinta and Jorge Masvidal. Yesterday open workouts we’re held to give fans and media a closer look into the fighters training regiments as well as thought’s on their opponents. Before fight night you can also read up on UFC’s opinion on Raging Al and his upcoming fight.
Weigh In’s will take place today Friday April 3rd at 12 noon. Be sure to check out www.mmajunkie.com for a live feed of the official weigh in’s. Remember McCann’s Pub and Grill (5590 Merrick Road Massapeqa NY) is your number one spot to watch all the fights Saturday afternoon.
The Mixed Martial Arts world is filled with competitors who like Al Iaquinta are hard working and humble. Fighters who do their talking once they step in the octagon. Who walk into a place and want to fly under the radar, go about their business, and aren’t looking for attention. Then there’s Jorge Masvidal. A fighter who has shown over the past few weeks that he likes to talk, and not very intelligently.
This Saturday Iaquinta(11-3-1) will take on Masvidal(28-8) in the Co Main event at UFC Fight Night 63 in a rare Saturday day event. The fight which is headlined by Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas will take place in Fairfax Virginia at The Patriot Center. Iaquinta fills in for former lightweight champion Benson Henderson who recently bumped up to welterweight. Continue Reading
Iaquinta Nation 