As a result of Al Iaquinta’s win over Kevin Lee at UFC Milwaukee, the lightweight’s almost certainly going to face another of the division’s best, and ‘Raging Al’ is targeting Tony Ferguson.
Iaquinta faced Lee in the card’s headliner, and he proceeded to take the thrilling fight via scores of (48-47, 48-47, 49-46. It marked the second time Iaquinta has defeated Lee, as he also earned a decision over the latter back in 2014.
Well, since Lee was ranked #4 in the UFC’s lightweight division heading into this weekend, obviously Iaquinta is going to make a fair-sized jump in the ranks on account of his victory. After the card, the New York fighter was asked about his next fight, and ‘Raging Al’ said this (quotes via MMA Junkie):
“I think Ferguson’s the guy,” Iaquinta said. “I think I’m a perfect style matchup to beat him. If there’s any holdup, that’s the guy I want to fight.”
“He’s gets hurt in his fights,” Iaquinta added. “I think I’m a better finisher than the guys he’s fought. I think I’m getting the job done against Ferguson.”
How about that? Now, clearly Ferguson and his supporters will have a different take on how ‘El Cucuy’ would do against Iaquinta. After all, we are talking about one of the most comprehensive and dangerous lightweights in the game, who has won 11 straight. But, it is true that Ferguson has been tagged in some of his fights, and Iaquinta isn’t a guy you want to take too many shots from.
All that aside, it seems unlikely that Iaquinta will be next for Ferguson. Unless Khabib Nurmagomedov is suspended for an extended period of time by the Nevada Commission (on account of what went down at UFC 229), many believe Ferguson will face the champ next.