Lightweight Al Iaquinta targeting UFC return in January against Beneil Dariush

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight contender Al Iaquinta has a New Year's resolution: Get back inside the Octagon.

"Raging" has been out of action since a controversial April victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 63. Iaquinta was then tapped to face Bobby Green and Gilbert Melendez, respectively, at UFC Fight Night 71 in July, before the pair were taken off the card due to an injury and a failed drug test.

Now, Iaquinta has his sights set on getting healthy, as he's been nursing a knee injury throughout his entire UFC career, and reportedly wants No. 10-ranked lightweight Beneil Dariush in 2016 (via FOX Sports).

Perhaps at the stacked UFC 195 pay-per-view (PPV)?

Dariush (12-1) -- himself no stranger to controversy -- is a winner of five-straight Octagon bouts and most recently bested Michael Johnson via split decision at UFC Fight Night 73.

Nothing is official at this time, but certainly sounds like a fun fight.

Is Iaquinta 12-3-(1) a step in the right direction if the Iranian has plans of becoming division champion? Time will tell, but in the interim, he has no choice but to watch his lightweight companions go to work over the next few months in the crowded race for the title.