Al Iaquinta has won three straight fights, knocking out all three opponents in devastating fashion -- including Ross Pearson and Joe Lauzon in back-to-back fights.
Pushing his UFC record to 6-2 at UFC 183, "Raging" Al opted to step in on short notice to fight No. 13 ranked Jorge Masvidal in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 63 on April 4th, live on FOX Sports 1 from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
Even with his opponent's impressive resume, Masvidal is unhappy with UFC brass and matchmakers, telling MMAJunkie that he is "taking a few steps back" with this fight.
His words:
"He's taking a couple steps up and I'm taking a few steps back. The kid's talented and all, but I've got no business fighting this guy, you know? People are making a big deal because he beat Joe Lauzon. Welcome to the club, man. I kicked that dude's ass eight years ago."
Masvidal was initially scheduled to face off against Bobby Green in Virginia, but after a nasty leg injury (see it here -- if you dare), Green was replaced by former champion Benson Henderson.
Unfortunately for "Gamebred" Henderson was pulled from the co-main event bout in favor of a short notice welterweight tilt against Brandon Thatch in the main event of UFC Fight Night 60, leaving Masvidal to fight Iaquinta.
Seven fights into his Octagon career, the former Strikeforce product is unhappy about who he has fought thus far.
"Everybody from Strikeforce coming over got a marquee matchup. Everybody from the bottom feeders to the decent guys to the A-level guys. And, maybe I wasn't a champ - I fought for the title, wasn't a champ - but I wasn't a bottom feeder. I thought I should have gotten a marquee matchup long ago. I'm seven fights in now and I'm still fighting dudes who I don't even know who the f-ck he is. I've never seen this dude fight in my life."
If Masvidal wants a crack at the lightweight Top-10, he better make a definitive statement against the streaking Iaquinta this April in Fairfax. If he can't put on an electric performance, he will be forced to tango with middle-of-the-road fighters once more.
For the latest UFC Fight Night 63 fight card, news, rumors, and more click here.