It seems as if Al Iaquinta will have a shot at UFC gold after all — though whether the NYSAC recognizes it is another matter.
Despite the ruling of the New York State Athletic Commission, it appears Al Iaquinta will be eligible for the UFC lightweight title after all. On Friday, after exhausting all other options, the UFC booked a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Al Iaquinta as the new, new main event for UFC 223. That’s after an injury to Tony Ferguson, and Max Holloway being deemed unfit to fight.
The downside was that, because Iaquinta had weighed in at 155.2lbs for his fight against Paul Felder, he would be ineligible to win the belt. Non-title fights in MMA have a one pound allowance when fighters weigh in. Title fights do not, ergo to fight for a title at lightweight, you must weigh in at 155lbs or less. It’s crucial to note that ‘Raging’ Al did not strip down when he stepped on the scales in Brooklyn, so he likely would have made championship weight anyway. He was also weighing in for a different fight than the one he’s now in.
Losing out on a title shot due to a minor technicality, given the circumstances Friday, seems a bit much. And apparently, the UFC agreed. UFC President Dana White unveiled at Friday night’s UFC 223/UFC 25 Years press conference that Iaquinta would be champ if he won the fight.
“As far as the commission goes, Khabib is the one that’s eligible for the title. But obviously, if ‘Ragin’ Al wins this fight, he’s the champ,” White said (via MMA Junkie). “If you beat the man, you are the man.”
He later added that “All technicalities, we will figure out after the fight.”
Iaquinta, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to his opponent. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime right here. Thank you, Khabib, for staying in the fight, and this is the opportunity I’m looking for. Stay ready, seize the moment, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
