Bloody Elbow recaps the co-main event from UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas on Saturday afternoon in Fairfax, Virginia. Here, we look at the controversial fight between Al Iaquinta and Jorge Masvidal
While Saturday afternoon's main event between Chad Mendes and Ricardo Lamas ended in a spectacular finish in under 3 minutes, it was the co-main event that ended up being UFC Fight Night: Fairfax's main talking point. Al Iaquinta and Jorge Masvidal entered this fight hoping for an impressive performance would propel them into the top 10 of the lightweight division.
Al Iaquinta vs. Jorge Masvidal
Official result: Al Iaquinta defeats Jorge Masvidal by split decision (29-28 x 2, 27-30)
What was the high point of the fight?
The high point of this fight was most definitely Masvidal's slick striking in the first round. He rocked Iaquinta badly and for the duration of the second and third rounds. Masvidal was on cruise control, picking Iaquinta apart from the outside with a precise jab.
Where do these two go from here?
Iaquinta was aggressive throughout, and while the decision appeared controversial, I feel he showed he could hang with one of the division's more technical fighters. I would love to see him fight Dustin Poirier, in what would likely be a stand up war.
While Masvidal has had his fair share of close judges decisions, he plays a huge part in it. Whenever he picks up a lead he seems content to coast it for the rest of the fight instead of pursuing the finish.
Watch now, later, or never?
This was really a fun fight to watch, Iaquinta's aggression paired with Masvidal's counter striking made this a fan friendly fight.
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