You Could See Just How Much This Meant to Al Iaquinta… The New Yorker Unleashed a Striking Clinic on Detroit’s Kevin Lee…
Al Iaquinta will be delighted to get this one. It shut Kevin Lee, who said in his post-fight comments: “I don’t know what to say right now.” This was an immensely close fight that could have gone the other way. It was a test of Lee’s physical advantages against Iaquinta’s technical gameplan.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin hosted the rematch between the two men. Before the fight, Lee had made many disparaging comments about Iaquinta’s ability. He said: “I’m a completely different fighter. I’ve had 12 fights since then and taken on much bigger challenges and I feel like I’m getting better and better each fight, and Al is just another stepping stone into that.”
What happens when stepping stones sink? Iaquinta definitely showed severe holes in Lee’s game. ‘The Motown Phenom’ is still young but needs to start stepping it up.
WOW!@AlIaquinta turns IT ON to end the fifth! #UFCMilwaukee pic.twitter.com/26QRqdN8gU
— UFC (@ufc) December 16, 2018
Gruelling
This was an intense and action-packed 25 minutes. The first round could easily have gone either way. Both men had their moments, landing shots on their opponent, with Lee fighting out of a southpaw stance. He did appear to mark up Iaquinta’s face, but the world’s most brutal realtor was retaliating effectively.
Rounds two and three were both tales of takedowns. Lee was able to get Iaquinta down to the mats twice, although ‘Ragin’ Al’ was able to hand fight his way out of some very compromising positions. This definitely took it out of Lee who was visibly fatigued towards the end of the fight.
Impressive UD win for @AlIaquinta at #UFCMilwaukee pic.twitter.com/S10o24bmda
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 16, 2018
Ragin’ Al
Iaquinta showed a lot of heart as he unleashed a striking clinic on Lee, who looks like he’s got a weak chin. After getting taken down in the third, he managed to get back to his feet and dictated the pace for the rest of the fight as hands continued to fight a home on Lee’s face.
It was one of those five-round fights that had fans crying out for another round. The last 30 seconds were unreal. Lee was on shaky legs, and Iaquinta knew it. He didn’t rush in pursuing the finish, instead choosing to be methodical. It could have cost him, but in the end, the decision went his way.
Lee vs Iaquinta 2, our crew breaks down this main event! pic.twitter.com/hMa2RzzKZn
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 16, 2018
Callout
Iaquinta is a salesman by trade, so he knows all about marketing. His first move after beating Iaquinta? Call out Conor McGregor. He compared his record against Khabib Nurmagamedov to that of the Notorious, as he pushed for a big money match-up. He said:
“If Conor thinks he’s getting a rematch against Khabib before me I think that’s some nonsense. I think I’m the guy he has to get through if he wants a rematch. He tapped out. I took it like a man on a day’s notice.”
Many fans think this is the type of opponent that McGregor should fight next to try and re-establish a winning streak. Will it be Iaquinta? Probably not… Dustin Poirier looks more likely. But you can’t blame the man for throwing his hat into the ring.
