When Kevin Lee made his UFC debut in February 2014, he turned in a competitive performance against Al Iaquinta, but ultimately lost by unanimous decision. Since then, Lee has challenged for the interim lightweight title, while Iaquinta fought on short notice for the vacant belt vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov earlier this year. Both men lost their respective title bouts, which makes their UFC on FOX 31 main event rematch on December 15th that much more important for keeping themselves afloat in the title picture.
Lee spoke to Submission Radio about his bout with “Ragin’” Al, reflecting on their first encounter at UFC 169.
“He fought a different person,” Lee said. “That was a different person that stepped into the cage that night. That was a college student that took it on three weeks’ notice just because it was my dream to be in the UFC. I turned down a lot of other promotions, and that was just kind of the big moment. I didn’t really know what I was doing, wasn’t really training like I was supposed to. I’ve changed everything since that fight. That fight was what made me change and move over to Las Vegas and really start to focus on my training, and he just fought a different kid.
“You know, he fought a kid that was going out there and was just fighting for some Jordans and kind of trying to look and finally fighting for some food in my mouth. And now, you know, I got a house, I got cars and things that I’m trying to do. He’s fighting a totally different person, and I think that’s what you’re going to see December 15th. I’ve been dedicated to my craft since that fight, and that’s what’s gonna shine through.”
Lee is coming off a fifth-round TKO vs. Edson Barboza in April, whereas Iaquinta hasn’t fought since the lopsided unanimous decision to Khabib. Iaquinta was praised for not getting finish and finding some moments of success on the feet against Nurmagomedov despite just one days’ notice, and “The Motown Phenom” is among those who thought the New Yorker actually fared well.
“Yeah, Al did good versus Khabib. He went the full five rounds, he showed some holes that I’ve been seeing in Khabib’s game for a long time, but he’s shown some holes to the world that they haven’t seen, and I’m gonna make sure I fill up all those holes and I’m gonna show that I’m a different level than both those guys. So that’s my only focus right now.”
As for the rematch, Lee acknowledged that Iaquinta is a tough customer, but he plans to make an emphatic statement to close out his 2018.
“When I fight Al, I’m gonna humiliate him. I’m gonna just show that I’m better than him everywhere. How the fight goes will be up to him. He’s a very tough guy, he will stay in there for as long as you let him. But, I’m gonna make him quit and he’ll get up out of there. I think I’ll put that man to sleep.”
You can listen to the full interview at the top of the page.