The Main Event Man – Al Iaquinta to face Kevin Lee at UFC’s final Fox event

For Al Iaquinta, being the main event of a fight card is becoming a routine thing,

The Wantagh native is scheduled to face Kevin Lee at UFC on Fox 31 on December 15 inside the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was the first to report the news. This will be the final Fox card for the UFC, as they make their way to ESPN next year.

“Ragin’ Al” last fought at UFC 223 in Brooklyn, fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov for the vacant UFC Lightweight Title. Ranked high above the UFC’s top five in the division during that time, Iaquinta replaced Max Holloway, who was replacing Tony Ferguson. While Khabib controlled the bout and won, Iaquinta was praised for lasting all five rounds in a fight put together less than three day’s beforehand.

Before that impromptu fight, Iaquinta was on a five-fight win streak, all while working in his real estate business.

The Serra-Longo Fight Team member is familiar with his opponent in Kevin Lee. The two fought at UFC 169 in 2014, with Al winning via unanimous decision. He expressed an interest in facing Lee again during a Double G Sports exclusive back in August:

“I would obviously love another fight with Kevin Lee. I don’t know if he’s gonna make weight anymore because he’s out there fighting at like 159, but if they allow him to stay at 155 and not go to 170 I would love that fight.”

Since that bout, Lee (16-4) has been on his own personal path to greatness. He has won six of his last seven fights, the last one being a vicious KO win against Edson Barboza (who will be facing Dan Hooker on the card) at UFC Fight Night 128 in New Jersey. That win avenged a loss against Ferguson back at UFC 216.

With a crowded lightweight division, especially now that Conor McGregor is back, Lee and Iaquinta are looking to bump their stocks up. This is a true chance for Iaquinta to show his appearance in a title fight wasn’t a one-time occurrence. Will he make the most of his opportunity once again?