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As always I want to thank all of Iaquinta Nation for continuing to check in with the blog. We’ve had a lot of great interviews for you lately as well as fight predictions. Make sure you continue to check in with us as well have some exclusive interviews, videos, work out tips and much more.
As most of you know by now Al Iaquinta is currently sidelined as he recovers from knee surgery. Iaquinta had some torn cartilage under his patella from his semi final fight on TUF Live with Vinc Pichel. Al was forced to have surgery to remove the torn piece. The recovery time is roughly three months, which would allow Al to start training again in October.
One of the most difficult things in the world for an athlete is not being able to do what he or she loves. When you’ve played a certain sport for so long it’s frustrating to have to sit back and watch from the outside. When training and competing is part of your every day life, sitting around and being restricted from doing that can be a true test on one’s patience. I would imagine this is something like what Al is going through now. The battle of playing the waiting game as the body takes it’s time to heal.
There’s that old cliche of everything happens for a reason. The same can be said about Al’s first opportunity to be on the Ultimate Fighter which he was unable to participate in due to a hand injury. Following his recovery, Al had some more time to mature and had some of the toughest fights of his young career leading up to his run on TUF Live. Although it may not seem like it now, and may be frustrating, this will also prove to only be a small bump in the road of a successful career for Iaquinta.
As far as Al goes there isn’t anything to be worried about. His strong work ethic will help him come back from this injury stronger then ever. It will be exciting to watch a determined Iaquinta get back in the gym and prepare for whoever his next opponent may be. Whoever it may be is irrelevant. They’ll be facing a guy in Iaquinta who will be more motivated and driven then ever. Sit tight Iaquinta Nation, Al will be back in the octagon before you know it.
-Matt Pellicane
Start your week off right with another interview featuring TUF Live finalist Al Iaquinta. The 5th Round is a great blog based out of the UK. Al discusses more about his background, his experience fighting in Ring of Combat in New Jersey, as well as his upcoming plans once his knee is healed up. Check out the interview HERE and be sure to check back throughout the week for interviews and much more.
Check out this great article HERE from Newsday’s Keiko Morris discussing the following mixed martial arts has gained on Long Island. Right in the center of it all are Al’s trainers Matt Serra and Ray Longo. The article touches on the changes in the sport over the past two decades, and how competitive the business aspect of mixed martial arts has become, especially in the Long Island area. Thank you to everyone over at Newsday especially Mark La Monica for their continued support of mixed martial arts on Long Island.
When you have some time check out Al’s latest interview on MMA Fractured HERE. Daniel Clark interviews Al and covers his experience on TUF, discusses some of his toughest opponents, and get’s Iaquinta’s opinion on younger kids training and competing in MMA. Everyone have a great weekend. As always if you have any questions you’d like Al to answer please send them our way.
Don’t forget to watch UFC 150 tonight LIVE on PPV. Another great card headlined by the second fight between Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar for the lightweight title. The card will also feature TUF Lives Justin Lawrence taking on Max Holloway in his first fight since the TUF Finale. Here’s Al’s fight predictions for the night, lets hear yours.
Benson Henderson v. Frankie Edgar (Edgar)
Donald Cerrone v. Melvin Guillard (Cerrone)
Jake Sheilds v. Ed Herman (Sheilds)
Yushin Okami v. Buddy Roberts (Okami)
Justin Lawrence v. Max Holloway (Lawrence)
Dennis Bermudez v. Tommy Hayden (Bermudez)
When you have some time check out some great interviews Al did yesterday. The first podcast can be listened to HERE and is with MMA Mental. Al talks about his injury, the finals, future opponents, MMA in New York, and much more. Click on podcast on the right side, the interview is about half way through the podcast. The second interview can be found HERE and is with The Real MMA today. The interview is right at the beginning of the show. Make sure you check both interviews out for some more insight into whats going on with Al, and how soon you’ll see him back in the octagon. Big thank you to MMA Mental and The Real MMA Today for having Al on both of their shows.
Al and I wanted to take a minute to tell everyone about a benefit that’s going to be at Mulcahy’s for a great cause. In June, young Nick Polo was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was forced to undergo surgery to remove the tumor. A scary moment in any persons life especially someone at such a young age. Nick has shown what a strong young man he is, as well as his toughness as he continues to fight through this difficult recovery process. His strength is inspiring. On August 24th Mulcahy’s Pub in Wantagh will hold a benefit on Nick’s behalf. Most of the information is on the flyer above. The event will take place between 7-11pm and will include a buffet dinner, drink specials, auctions, raffles, and much more. Tickets for the benefit are $25. We hope everyone can come down to Mulchay’s and support Nick. Nick as well as the entire Polo family are great people, and it’s a pleasure having them as friends. This is an event we wouldn’t miss, and we hope everyone can make it down. We look forward to seeing everyone at Mulchay’s on the 24th.
-Matt Pellicane
Check out Jim Genia’s interview via Yahoo Sports with Al Iaquinta HERE. Genia discusses Iaquinta’s road to recovery, life in the TUF house, the TUF Finale, and much more. Be sure to check back here later in the week for more interviews as well as other updates. Have any additional questions for Al? Contact him on TWITTER where he’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.
Make sure you check out UFC on FOX tonight at 8pm. The card features some great fights including an exciting main event between Mauricio Rua and Brandon Vera. Here’s Al’s fight predictions for the night. Let’s hear yours.
Mauricio Rua v. Brandon Vera (Vera)
Lyota Machida v. Ryan Bader (Machida)
Joe Lauzon v. Jamie Varner (Lauzon)
Mike Swick v. Damarques Johnson (Swick)
Cole Miller v. Nam Phan (Miller)
Phil Davis v. Wagner Prado (Davis)
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