Fortunes can change rapidly in mixed martial arts.
Opportunities for a fighter to progress are frequently lost and found because of injury and additional circumstance, which has created an environment where those who are ready to step up to seize the moment can find tremendous benefit in the risks that are taken.
Al Iaquinta's ambitions for bigger things have been "raging" since he arrived to the UFC in 2012, and the Serra-Longo representative has spent the past three years taking full advantage of whatever has come his way.
Over that stretch, the 28-year-old lightweight has climbed the ranks of one of the deepest divisions under the UFC banner, and his current four-fight winning streak is a major factor behind his continued rise in the 155-pound fold.
The New York native was poised to take the next step on his journey toward title contention against veteran Bobby Green at Fight Night 71 on July 15 before the scrappy Californian was forced out with an injured knee. His tilt against King was slated to be another high-profile opportunity for the Long Island-based fighter, and Iaquinta feared his chance to continue his push through the division would be put on hold for the time being.
Yet the ever-changing tides of MMA would ultimately bring an even bigger fight to The Ultimate Fighter alum, as former Strikeforce champion and two-time lightweight title challenger Gilbert Melendez stepped up to fill the vacancy in the card's co-main event.
Where the dance with Green was set to be a healthy scrap, suddenly Iaquinta finds himself in the highest-profile bout of his young career.
El Nino brings a hard-charging and entertaining style to every fight he's involved in, and the success he's enjoyed as the result of his tenacity has made him one of the best 155-pound fighters in the world over the past six years.
Iaquinta sees opportunity in every part of his matchup with Melendez and is excited to throw down with the Skrap Pack leader at Fight Night 71 in San Diego.
“I definitely think the fight got bigger when Gilbert [Melendez] stepped up to take it," Iaquinta told Bleacher Report. "The fight with Bobby Green was alright—and I was bummed when he got hurt—but I’m so much more excited to be fighting Melendez. I think this is a lot better fight for everybody. It’s going to be one that fans won't want to miss.
“Don't get me wrong, I was excited to fight Bobby Green as well, but I’m not really sure what his goal is when he’s fighting. He looks like he’s acting in there. He’s talking and doing everything but fighting. Gilbert is the complete opposite. He’s a warrior. He goes in there and puts it all on the line and gets it done. I’ve been watching him forever and have been a big fan of his ever since I got into the sport. I’ve always wondered where I stood up against the guys I’ve watched on television, and now I’m going to get to find out."
While Iaquinta's winning ways have helped him break through into a coveted top-10 position, a potential victory over Melendez would serve to push him into the elite tier of the lightweight fold.
The Northern California representative has held his position as a constant threat to the 155-pound crown since coming over from Strikeforce in 2013, but Melendez has suffered through the roughest waters of his career during his time inside the Octagon.
Where Melendez once went three years without suffering a setback during his title reign in the now-defunct San Jose-based promotion, just one victory in his past four outings has put his top-level status in jeopardy.
With that said, Melendez built a successful career by being as game as they come under the bright lights, and Iaquinta knows he's in for a war at Fight Night 71. And that's precisely what he wants.
The surging 155-pound knockout artist is ready to make the most of the biggest opportunity of his career, and that's what he plans to do in impressive fashion on July 15.
“This is a crazy sport where anything can happen," Iaquinta said. "I’ve been training hard to make sure I’m ready for every opportunity that comes my way so that I can step up to seize it and get the job done. And that's what I've been working so hard for. This is the kind of fight I've been waiting to get and I'm definitely going to give everything I have to make sure I make the most of it."
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
