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What's the story?
At tonight's UFC on Fox 31, which was the final UFC event on Fox, Lightweight fighters Kevin Lee and Al Iaquinta faced off in a highly awaited rematch in the main event of the evening.
In case you didn't know...
At UFC 169, Kevin Lee made his promotional debut for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and in his first fight inside the Octagon, 'The Motown Phenom' faced and was eventually beaten by top Lightweight contender, Al Iaquinta.
The heart of the matter
Kevin Lee starts off the fight as the aggressor and almost immediately gets caught by Iaquinta who clearly has the advantage, as he is controlling Lee. The Motown Phenom however starts showing some signs of a comeback as he connects with a jab and body kick, and finally starts to find his rhythm.
Iaquinta keeps his focus on Lee's legs, but isn't committed to scoring any take-downs. Iaquinta ends the round in dominant fashion with Lee in pursuit.
Kevin Lee comes in strong in the second round, circling and rounding Al Iaquinta, and is on the attack. Body lock and hammer fists are being hit by Lee, but he isn't able to do much. Lee gets Iaquinta on the ground and tries to lock in the choke but isn't able to, and continues to hit a few big shots from the back.
Iaquinta eventually rolls back and breaks free. With less than one minute to go, Lee’s body kick is countered with a right hand, as Iaquinta looks to make up some ground here. Lee misses a head kick and Iaquinta powers forward with a right to the head.
The third round goes back-and-forth between both men, Lee connects with a few strong blows early on, connecting with a right hook, but Iaquinta is stalking forward and firing in high. Lee's jabs aren't so effective after all, and Iaquinta's speed is definitely giving Lee some trouble.
Al tries a take-down but isn't able to, only for Lee to score a take-down of his own, but Iaquinta crawls away to the fence immediately. After a bit of struggle, Lee finds Iaquinta on the back and is looking to seize the choke, however, Iaquinta is able to fight off and doesn't let Lee get the choke in.
Iaquinta keeps pressing forward on the restart, and is pushing forward, Lee is getting wrecked with right hands. Lee is getting lit up and a leg kick from Iaquinta gets his acknowledgment as well.
Al is dominating this round so far. They trade leg kicks, but Iaquinta is still pressing forward, Lee's face is swelling by this point, as he is getting chased around the Octagon. Iaquinta is in control of the fight and momentum, and eventually ends the fight by connecting with a solid left hand.
Lee comes in as the aggressor in the final round, but Iaquinta is confident as well. Lee connects with a jab and gets a left hook blocked early on, however, there is an eventual take-down against the fence.
Iaquinta maintains his composure and winds Lee back, Al is quickly back on the offense and is pushing Lee to his limits. Iaquinta is starting to secure a final round comeback. Lee is taking heavy shots, but you'll have to give him credit for trying to hit back as well.
Iaquinta raises his hands and pushes forward in the final stages, as he catches his opponent with a front kick, then two more heavy right hands to finish things off.
Al Iaquinta defeats Kevin Lee via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46), in what was truly a great back-and-forth fight.
What's next?
Following the fight, Iaquinta called out Conor McGregor and claimed in order to get an immediate rematch with Khabib, the Irishman would have to go through Raging Al first.
