NEW YORK – It took six years to come to fruition, but Al Iaquinta thinks his matchup with Bobby Green is happening at the right time.
Originally lined up in 2015, the fight never materialized. Now in 2021, Iaquinta (14-6-1 MMA, 9-5 UFC) and Green (27-1-12 MMA, 8-7-1 UFC), two of the promotion’s most seasoned lightweights, will square off on the UFC 268 prelims Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
“We were supposed to fight in 2015 and that fight never ended up happening,” Iaquinta told MMA Junkie at a pre-fight news conference. “So in my head, I was like, ‘Oh, Bobby Green.’ He didn’t win (hist last) fight but I honestly thought he won the fight. It was a great fight and he came on strong at the end. Then, the next day, my manager texted me, ‘The UFC just offered you Bobby Green at MSG.’ I’m like, ‘Perfect, I’m in.’ It all just came together at the right time. That’s how it came together and it worked out really good.”
Iaquinta’s eagerness to fight Green stems from his respect. He’s enjoyed watching Green’s willingness to take on all comers. Regardless of divisional standing, Green is a high-action fighter, and Iaquinta is excited to test himself after a 25-month absence from competition.
“I think that’s Bobby Green’s thing. He keeps it close,” Iaquinta said. “He’s got a really unique style. He’s been fighting often. I’m going in there to fight. I’m not going in there to do anything else or have a good show or whatever. I’m going in there to fight and win. I think that’s going to be the difference.
The UFC 268 main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.
Check out Al Iaquinta’s full pre-fight news conference in the video above.
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