Al Iaquinta

Al Iaquinta (born April 30, 1987) 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.

A professional MMA competitor since 2009, Iaquinta has been signed with the UFC since 2012.

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 also wrestled.

Before turning pro, Iaquinta had a perfect amateur record of 14–0.

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

There, he earned a record of 5–1–1.

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

Iaquinta advanced into the TUF house by defeating Jon Tuck by unanimous decision after one round.

Afterwards, he was chosen as first pick for Team Faber.

After his team lost the first two matches, Iaquinta earned the first win for Team Faber by defeating Myles Jury via split decision after three rounds.

In the quarter-finals, Iaquinta fought Team Faber teammate, Andy Ogle.

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

The win advanced Iaquinta into the semi-finals where he faced Team Cruz's Vinc Pichel.

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

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.

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

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

However, the bout was scrapped as both fighters sustained training injuries leading up to the fight.

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

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

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

Then on September 24, Njokuani pulled out of the event with an injury.

Iaquinta instead faced Piotr Hallmann.

He won the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, and 30–27).

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

He won the fight by unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, and 28–27).

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

He lost the fight via submission (D'arce choke) in the second round.

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

Iaquinta defeated Damm via third-round TKO.

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

Despite being the underdog, Iaquinta won the fight via TKO in the second round.

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

He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

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

He won the bout via controversial split decision.

13 of 15 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Masvidal.

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

However, Green pulled out of the fight in mid-June, citing an undisclosed injury, and he was replaced by Gilbert Melendez.

Subsequently, Melendez was removed from the card on July 6, after it was revealed that he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs after his previous fight at UFC 188.