UFC 169 results, photos: Al Iaquinta survives rough second to top Kevin Lee

NEWARK, N.J. – “The Ultimate Fighter 15? finalist Al Iaquinta got a handful of an opponent in newcomer Kevin Lee, but a late-fight surge was enough to secure a win.

Iaquinta turned up the tempo after dropping a round midway through the fight and earned unanimous scores of 29-28 twice and 28-27.

The lightweight bout was part of the preliminary card of today’s UFC 169 event at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. It aired on FOX Sports 1 following additional prelims on UFC Fight Pass and ahead of a main card on pay-per-view.

With low hands and a forward lean, Iaquinta’s boxing’s prowess showed early as he landed a short left hand to drop Lee. Striking wasn’t his only threat, however, when he dropped to his back and threatened with an inverted heel hook. To prevent a tendon-tearing crank, Lee held on to Iaquinta’s hands for dear life, a theme that would present itself in the next round.

After taking an overhand right from Iaquinta in the opening moments of the second frame, Lee ducked under for a takedown and secured back control. There, he came seconds away from securing a choke were it not for Iaquinta holding onto his arms.

Having split a pair of rounds, Iaquinta and Lee went toe-to-toe in the third round. But it was Iaquinta who more frequently landed punches, in particular a persistent right hand that put Lee in trouble in the fight’s final minute.

“He was tough,” Iaquinta said. “I almost had him in the first round, but he pulled through it and kept his composure. Second round, I got caught in a familiar position, but I was able to get through it. But third round, that’s my round. I don’t lose there.”

Since falling short to “TUF 15? winner Michael Chiesa, Iaquinta (8-2-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) has won his past three fights, while Lee (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is the second undefeated newcomer to suffer his first professional setback at UFC 169.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 169 results include:

• Al Iaquinta def. Kevin Lee via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-27)
• Clint Hester def. Andy Enz via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
• Rashid Magomedov def. Tony Martin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Neil Magny def. Gasan Umalatov via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

For complete coverage of UFC 169, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

John Morgan and Matt Erickson contributed to this report on-site in Newark.