In the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Lobov, Al Iaquinta marked his Octagon return with an emphatic stoppage of Diego Sanchez. One right hand sent Sanchez to the mat, while another right hand a mere seconds later put “Lionheart” away for good.
Literally the first kick of the fight hit Iaquinta’s groin, but Iaquinta didn’t really take more than five seconds to recover and restart. Sanchez fired off a good right to the side of Iaquinta’s head. That’s the last good moment Diego had, as Iaquinta timed Sanchez perfectly and crumpled him with a right. Sanchez got back to his feet, and Iaquinta took his time and avoided getting sucked into the classic Diego brawl. Another right by Iaquinta made him fold like a deck chair and he was absolutely gone. John McCarthy immediately stopped the fight.
Official result: Al Iaquinta def. Diego Sanchez by KO (punches) at 1:38 of round 1
It’s Iaquinta’s first win since the split decision over Jorge Masvidal in April 2015, which was also the last time he fought. Sanchez’s granite chin has been compromised for the second time in less than a year, as Joe Lauzon similarly put him away quickly at UFC 200.