“Raging” Al Iaquinta: Still Moving Forward

via UFC.com

New York‘s talent pool of high level, big stage fighters seems to be growing by the day. One such fighter forging forward, and carrying a 3 fight win streak, is none other than Long Island, New York native, “Raging” Al Iaquinta.

The Serra/Longo Fight Team product is a winner of 6 of his 7 recent fights and made a strong rebound after his submission loss to Mitch Clarke at UFC 173. Even in his loss, Al was doing well, staying on top, winning – until Mitch Clarke pulled off an incredibly slick D’Arce choke, utilizing the cage to trap Iaquinta and render him unconscious. Many fighters would come out tentative after such a loss, but that’s not how Al came to be known as “Raging” Al. In a 5 month span from September 2014 through January 2015, Al racked up three TKO finishes, two of them over big name veterans in Ross Pearson (UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Bisping) and Joe Lauzon (UFC 183).

via UFC.com

via UFC.com

via UFC.com

With his UFC record strongly back in the win column, the 27 year old Wantagh, NY native now sets his eyes on UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs Lamas, where he is set to face a well-rounded, durable Jorge Masvidal. With Al and Jorge currently ranked #15 and #14 respectively in the lightweight division, a win would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction.

via UFC Fighter Rankings

That said, these days how a fighter wins is just as important as if he wins – sometimes even more important.  Look no further than Dana White‘s aversion to Ben Askren, who is consistently victorious but who many fans find boring. A dominant stoppage win over an experienced and durable Masvidal would make it four straight stoppage wins for Iaquinta, and could propel him much higher than the one point difference in their UFC Fighter Rankings suggests.  We could soon be hearing about a top 10 ( Eddie Alveraz, Michael Johnson), possibly even a top 5 (Ben Henderson, Gil Melendez) future opponent. Or, he could choose to call out a top tier lightweight, as the UFC seems to love, and no one would think it to be overreaching.

Casual viewers might be drawn to Saturday’s main event featuring two former title challengers, but savvy fight fans know the real action will be one match prior, when two top lightweight contenders go head to head.  Will Al Iaquinta be the next New York fighter to crack the top 10?  We’ll have to tune in to see.

UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs Lamas airs Live on FoxSports1 – Saturday April 4, 2015 at 1PM/10AM ET/PT

NewYorkFighting.com contributor – Matt Culley

Editor: Kyle Antonelli