Lauzon v. Gruetzemacher, Iaquinta v. Felder announced for UFC 223

It seem like the UFC is really trying to make it up to Brooklyn after the letdown that was UFC 208. Two big fights have been added to the stacked UFC 223 Brooklyn card. On one end we have Joe Lauzon taking on Chris Gruetzemacher, and on the other we have Al Iaquinta v. Paul Felder. Newsday was the first to announce the Lauzon v. Gruetzemacher and the Iaquinta v. Felder bouts.

This will be the second time Iaquinta (13-3-1) and Felder (15-3) were scheduled to face one another. Originally slated for UFC 218, Iaquinta withdrew due to injury. Now the two are looking to finally do battle at UFC 223.

Iaquinta, a Long Island native, is looking to continue his momentum, as he is currently on a five-fight winning streak. He last fought at UFC Fight Night 108 this past April, knocking out Diego Sanchez. The Wantagh-born Iaquinta faces a tough task in Felder (15-3), who is on a three-fight winning streak. The Philadelphia-born Felder last fought at UFC 218 in December, beating Charles Oliviera via TKO. This bout has potential to be a Match of the Night candidate in Brooklyn. It could also change the landscape of the lightweight division of the UFC. The winner of this bout will be paying close attention to the main event as Tony Ferguson defends his Lightweight Title against Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Another lightweight bout scheduled for this card features two fighters looking to get back on track. Joe Lauzon (27-14) has lost five of his last eight bouts. The 33-year old will test his luck against Gruetzemacher (13-3), who after winning 12 in a row, has lost his last two. A win by either of these fighters could result in a way out of the cellar and into the box seats of the lightweight division.

UFC 223 takes place in the Barclays Center on April 7th. Besides Ferguson v. Khabib, the co-main event features a rematch for the women’s Strawweight Title, featuring champion Rose Namajunas against Joanna Jędrzejczyk. Tickets go on sale next week!