Preview: UFC Fight Night ‘Mendes vs. Lamas’

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LIGHTWEIGHTS

Al Iaquinta (11-3-1, 6-2 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (28-8, 5-1 UFC)

THE MATCHUP: This one should be entertaining. Masvidal has put together a fantastic run since coming over from Strikeforce, with victories over the likes of Pat Healy, Daron Cruickshank, Michael Chiesa and James Krause balanced by a single loss to Rustam Khabilov. Iaquinta has likewise been on a tear, finishing Joe Lauzon, Ross Pearson and Rodrigo Damm since a freak submission loss to Mitch Clarke last year.

The winner will have a claim on a top-10 opponent and likely a “Fight of the Night” bonus check to go along with it.

Masvidal is a technical joy to watch. He tends to start slowly and is a bit hittable early, but once he finds his timing, distance and rhythm, he is one of the division’s best all-around fighters. Striking is the heart of Masvidal’s approach, particularly his hands. He works behind a crisp jab and strings together beautiful combinations, but he supplements his punching sequences with vicious leg and body kicks. He is quite defensively sound, as well, with slick head movement and a tight guard that makes it hard to hit him cleanly. The clinch is also a strength, as Masvidal will look for hard knees and elbows on the breaks. He is very difficult to take down and owns a nice arsenal of singles, doubles and trips of his own. Masvidal particularly excels as a counter-wrestler and has a great front headlock series of guillotines, brabos and back takes.

Iaquinta has evolved into a potent and technical striker. His base is perfect and his feet are always under him as he throws punches, which gives him fantastic weight transfer and thus power in his shots without taking him off-balance. This also allows him to fluidly slip his head off the centerline and counter in the pocket without stepping out of range. He works the body and head together in the same combination and is fond of ripping low kicks after his favored left hook. The occasional high kick and standing elbow keeps his opponents guessing. Iaquinta’s approach is efficient and wastes little energy, which helps him maintain a blistering pace and high offensive output. He was originally a wrestler and is very difficult to take down. When the mood strikes, he can shoot an explosive double and slick single-leg. He is a bomber from top position and can work the occasional pass, but his willingness to scramble has gotten him submitted in the past.

BETTING ODDS: Masvidal (-130), Iaquinta (+100)

THE PICK: This is a razor-thin fight, and though the phrase is overused, it could legitimately go either way. I lean slightly toward Iaquinta, however. He is the bigger puncher and works at a quicker pace; plus, he is more dangerous exchanging in the pocket. It is also worth noting that Masvidal has been dropped cleanly in three of his last five fights. If Masvidal can force scrambles, he could catch Iaquinta in a choke, but that seems less likely to me than a striking barnburner. Under those circumstances, the pick is Iaquinta by close decision.

Next Fight » Michael Chiesa vs. Mitch Clarke