37 Facts About Al Iaquinta

1.

Al Iaquinta was born on April 30,1987 and is an American former professional mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, having once challenged for the Lightweight championship belt.

2.

Al Iaquinta, who is of Italian descent, wrestled at Wantagh High School and went on to earn his associate degree from Nassau Community College, where he wrestled.

3.

Al Iaquinta began his pro MMA career fighting for the Ring of Combat promotion.

4.

Al Iaquinta was one of 32 lightweight fighters announced by the UFC to participate in first live season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.

5.

Al Iaquinta won via TKO in the closing moments of round one.

6.

Al Iaquinta defeated Pichel via unanimous decision after two rounds and moved on to the finals against teammate Michael Chiesa.

7.

Al Iaquinta officially made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale on June 1,2012, against Michael Chiesa to determine the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Live.

8.

Al Iaquinta lost to Chiesa by submission due to a rear naked choke early in the first round.

9.

Al Iaquinta was expected to face Joe Proctor on April 27,2013, at UFC 159.

10.

Al Iaquinta faced Ryan Couture on August 31,2013, at UFC 164, replacing an injured Quinn Mulhern.

11.

Al Iaquinta won the bout via unanimous decision, after dominating the fight on the feet and negating all of Couture's takedown attempts.

12.

Al Iaquinta was expected to face Anthony Njokuani on October 26,2013, at UFC Fight Night 30, replacing an injured Paul Taylor.

13.

Al Iaquinta faced Kevin Lee at UFC 169 on February 8,2014.

14.

Al Iaquinta faced Mitch Clarke at UFC 173 on May 24,2014.

15.

Al Iaquinta lost the fight via submission in the second round.

16.

Al Iaquinta faced Rodrigo Damm at UFC Fight Night 50 on September 5,2014.

17.

Al Iaquinta faced Ross Pearson on November 8,2014, at UFC Fight Night 55.

18.

Al Iaquinta faced Joe Lauzon on January 31,2015, at UFC 183.

19.

Al Iaquinta won the fight via TKO in the second round.

20.

Al Iaquinta faced Jorge Masvidal on April 4,2015, at UFC Fight Night 63.

21.

Al Iaquinta was expected to face Bobby Green on July 15,2015, at UFC Fight Night 71.

22.

In turn, Al Iaquinta was removed from the card as well.

23.

Al Iaquinta was expected to face Thiago Alves on November 12,2016, at UFC 205.

24.

Al Iaquinta won the fight via knockout in the first round.

25.

Al Iaquinta was expected to face Paul Felder on December 2,2017, at UFC 218.

26.

However, because of an injury to interim UFC Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson and the state athletic commission's decision to pull replacement UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway over concerns over his weight cut, Al Iaquinta was scheduled as a replacement against Khabib Nurmagomedov in the five round main event.

27.

Al Iaquinta had already weighed in for his fight against Paul Felder prior to officially being announced as the new replacement.

28.

Al Iaquinta was scheduled to face Justin Gaethje on August 25,2018, at UFC Fight Night 135.

29.

However, on June 28,2018, Al Iaquinta withdrew from the bout, and he was replaced by James Vick.

30.

Al Iaquinta faced Kevin Lee in a rematch on December 15,2018, at UFC on Fox 31.

31.

Al Iaquinta faced Donald Cerrone on May 4,2019, at UFC Fight Night 151.

32.

Al Iaquinta faced Dan Hooker on October 6,2019, at UFC 243.

33.

Al Iaquinta faced Bobby Green on November 6,2021, at UFC 268.

34.

Al Iaquinta lost the fight via first round TKO, marking the first time that he lost by TKO in his professional MMA career.

35.

Al Iaquinta said in an interview on the MMA Hour he wasn't sure if he was retired yet and he's up in the air in regards to this.

36.

On February 23,2020, Al Iaquinta faced Mike Perry at Chael Sonnen's Submission Underground 11 event.

37.

Al Iaquinta started the process of acquiring a license after a contract dispute for his fight against Thiago Alves at UFC 205.