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It’s hard to make a bad fight at lightweight. The UFC’s deepest division is brimming with scintillating talent- even the guys coming off losses are easy to get excited about. No two fighters represent that more than Justin Gaethje and ‘Raging’ Al Iaquinta. On his podcast, Iaquinta hinted that he might be in talks with the UFC to face Gaethje this summer. He was asked about a possible matchup with Gaethje, and his response indicated that the idea was not new to him. Transcript via MMAJunkie.com:
“We’re hoping for sometime in August,” Iaquinta said. “August, September. I think (the UFC) wanted it to be sooner, but that guy needs a rest. I was looking out for his health with that one. He needs a break for a minute. If it goes down the way it’s supposed to, it’ll be a good fight, a tough fight.”
It’s peak Al to say that he’s looking out for Gaethje’s health by pushing a potential matchup back to late summer. But is the fight actually being discussed? “Little bit”, was all Al would say.
It would be a near-perfect matchup for Gaethje, and one fans would have an easy time getting behind. Iaquinta had won five straight before his high-profile decision loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov; Gaethje is on the most exciting two-fight skid in UFC history, coming agonizingly close to beating Dustin Poirier and Eddie Alvarez before going out on his shield in both fights. He needs a step back, but not too far back; someone that keeps him relevant with a win, and doesn’t consign him to the dust-bin with a loss. Iaquinta is in a similar space; his short-notice loss to Nurmagomedov may have dampened any title hopes, but he hung tough with the Russian for all five rounds. Both men are known for wanting to throw hands in the pocket in a fan-friendly manner; neither are known for meticulous risk avoidance.
Of course, it’s hard to make a bad fight at lightweight; Edson Barboza’s manager has also thrown his hat in the ring for a fight with Gaethje.
Insomnia
Tony Ferguson is back in training
The guy on the left is your hopes, dreams and ambitions. On the right is you.
Day10 8-1 Yokozuna Kakuryu vs M5 6-3 Kotoshogiku. Shogiku is still mos def competitive. But don’t get your hopes up on this bout.. herm.. #sumolingo #maybasho pic.twitter.com/mziiArqMjT
— SumoSoul (@TheSumoSoul) May 22, 2018
Muhammad Ali was an inspiration to so many
Joe Rogan loves highlighting very ineffective traditional martial arts techniques.
Jose Aldo has really been working his wrestling lately ahead of his summer fight with Jeremy Stephens
Slips, Rips, KO Clips
Some Muay Thai action
Youssef Boughanem stops Talaytong Sor.Tanaphet in the fourth round to win the Lumpinee stadium middleweight title pic.twitter.com/NyZcLJlJHw
— Bestrafer7 (@Bestrafer7) May 22, 2018
This guy looks like a solid addition to the UFC roster. Look at that combination. By God.
Jose “Shorty” Torres #TitanFC48 pic.twitter.com/HJU3IVyl82
— Streetfight Bancho (@streetfitebanch) February 17, 2018
The Monster #InoueMcDonnell pic.twitter.com/InvgBr5dCF
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 23, 2018
Quick Hits and Good Reads
- Yair Rodriguez explains his side of the story– probably a lot closer to what really went on in negotiations- and from what he said, it’s either a bad call by the UFC or a worrying signal to the rest of the roster that fighters attempting to negotiate what is best for their careers won’t be tolerated.
Podcasts and Video
Random Land
So close
Oh no. pic.twitter.com/innvlfrHvw
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) May 23, 2018
Say what you will about Trump, he’s the funniest president we have ever had and likely will ever have.
Not even Trump believes the stuff he says. pic.twitter.com/GiEWACnmHO
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) May 23, 2018
Look at this crazy volcano footage from Hawaii
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