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Surging Lightweight Al Iaquinta Lands Dangerous Veteran Joe Lauzon At UFC 183

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By @RickLaFitte

 

Al Iaquinta punches Ross Pearson during UFC Fight Night 55 co-main event clash

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After recording the biggest win of his Octagon career, Al Iaquinta is getting another major test at UFC 183. The surging lightweight prospect will square off against veteran Joe Lauzon in what has the makings of producing a tremendous battle. Lauzon had been pegged to tangle with Diego Sanchez at UFC 180 in Mexico City, but was forced off of that card due to an injury.

Iaquinta took his career to new heights at Fight Night 55 in Australia with a two-round demolition of rugged veteran Ross Pearson in their co-main event. The 27-year-old New York native continued to showcase his improved stand-up skills and secured his second consecutive TKO victory. He’s never looked better, and has reeled off five victories in his last six fights. Iaquinta has an impressive 10-3-1 record with six finishes by knockout or submission.

The Team Serra-Longo fighter appears to be ready for what looms as another difficult assignment against a proven Fight Night bonus king in Lauzon. While Iaquinta’s career is definitely on the upswing, there’s no doubt he will have to be wary of Lauzon’s formidable ground game. All three of his career losses have come via submission. If “Raging” can produce another solid effort in January, a top-15 ranking should be in the cards.

Lauzon has carved out a reputation as a true blood-and-guts warrior during his 17-fight Octagon tenure. He’s been involved in a number of wars with many of the 155-pound division’s best. He’s coming off a second-round TKO victory over Michael Chiesa at Fight Night 50. That clash in Connecticut came to a halt after a Lauzon knee opened up a significant gash over Chiesa’s eye.

The Fight of the Night was a record-breaking 13th post-fight bonus for “J-Lau.” He’ll be looking to make it three straight wins, which would represent his most successful UFC run since 2006-2007.

The 30-year-old Lauzon owns other notable victories over Jamie Varner, Melvin Guillard and Jeremy Stephens, and has also faced the likes of Michael Johnson, Jim Miller and current 155-pound champion Anthony Pettis. He has one of the best finishing rates in the sport, with 23 of his 24 wins having come by way of knockout or submission.

This shapes up as an excellent 155-pound scrap. Both Iaquinta and Lauzon are riding positive momentum and are fan-friendly performers. This matchup definitely has the potential to produce some fireworks in Las Vegas on Jan. 31.

Rick LaFitte is an MMA Writer for Rant Sports

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