Whenever Al Iaquinta enters the Octagon, it’s hard not to get the impression that the top-ten lightweight contender would rather be someplace else.
The 31-year-old is always keen to emphasize his real estate business in post-fight interviews and isn’t shy about putting the UFC on blast about being undercompensated and undervalued as a fighter.
Iaquinta has had a somewhat turbulent relationship with the UFC but, heading into his highly anticipated rematch with Kevin Lee at UFC on FOX 31 (Iaquinta beat Lee via unanimous decision back in 2014), ‘Raging Al’ is looking to put the past behind him and have some ‘fun’ on Dec. 15.
According to Iaquinta, he’s no longer worried about ‘money’ or the terms of his UFC contract.
“He’s just been focusing on fighting, and I think as a person, I’ve grown as an inside and outside of the cage,” Iaquinta told MMA Junkie in a recent interview. I’m not worried about money any more. I’m just worried about having fun, and what I have” the most fun doing is fighting. You’re going to see the best Al Iaquinta out there, with no worries.”
Iaquinta believes a win over Lee would propel him into title contention, and the New Yorker claims to have learned a lot from his championship loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223.
“If I go out there and put on a dominant performance, it puts you right up there,” he said. “You never know in this sport. I got a freakin’ title shot as the No. 11 guy. You win in you’re in that top mix. To have people talking about you, at any time you could be thrown in there. I learned so much in that last fight, so I’m going to be ready for any opportunity that comes my way.”
UFC on FOX 31, which sees Iaquinta take on Lee in the main event, takes place next month, December 15 at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.