5 Things You Might Not Know About Al Iaquinta

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Al Iaquinta (13-4-1) is a lightweight fighter who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His next outing will see him headline UFC on Fox 31 opposite Kevin Lee at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, in Milwaukee on Dec. 15. The clash is a rematch of their UFC 169 bout, which Iaquinta won by unanimous decision.

As we approach the eagerly-awaited contest, here are five things you might not know about the Serra-Longo Fight Team member.

1. He is a licensed real estate agent.

Following his victory at UFC Fight Night 63 in Apr. 2015, Iaquinta did not compete again until UFC Fight Night 108, in Apr. 2017. The reason for his two-year hiatus was because Iaquinta was busy with his other career: selling real estate in Long Island. Although Iaquinta has now returned the cage, he has no plans to give up his other job.

2. He used to wrestle.

These days, he is best known for his striking skills, but it was amateur wrestling where he first honed his combat skills. The young Iaquinta started out in the discipline at Wantagh High School. And he continued wrestling while studying for his associate degree at Nassau Community College.

3. He was on “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Back in 2012, Iaquinta was a contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 15. He qualified for the house off the back of a unanimous decision victory over Jon Tuck. In the preliminary round, he overcame Myles Jury by split decision. This was followed by a quarter final TKO triumph over Andy Ogle. In the season’s semi-final, Iaquinta met Vinc Pichel. After three rounds of action, the judges all sided with Iaquinta. The decision win saw him qualify for the season’s finale opposite Michael Chiesa. At 2:47 into the first frame, Iaquinta was forced to succumb to a rear-naked choke.

4. He has been vocal in his criticism of the UFC.

In the past, he has been highly critical of the UFC’s pay structure. It was his disillusionment with his contract that led him to take two years away from the Octagon. He once said in an interview of comparing MMA to his other job, “… I don’t have the risk of getting hurt. I don’t need to fight now. I have my real-estate career.” It was his ongoing contract dispute that led “Ragin’ Al” to pull out of his Nov. 2016 bout with Justin Gaethje at UFC 205 in his home city of New York. Most fighters hailing from “The Big Apple” would have been clamouring to get on the card, but the outspoken Iaquinta felt it important that he take a stand against what he regarded as the UFC’s less than generous financial package. Iaquinta stated of his position that if he were to have lost the contest, it would be “ … like fighting at MSG for free.” He has since signed an improved offer with the Las Vegas-based promotion.

5. He had a lengthy amateur career.

In 2006, at the end of his college wrestling season, “Ragin’ Al” commenced training in mixed martial arts. He would compile a faultless 14-0 record in the amateur ranks before turning professional with the Ring of Combat promotion in 2009.