“Raging” Al Iaquinta is looking to keep his options open on who he will fight next. Iaquinta has been very vocal in wanting to fight the former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier. However, Iaquinta has spoken with MMA Fighting about Paul Felder being a possible matchup.
“I know he had a rough one this past weekend, but if he does want to come back at some point, I think that’s a good fight, Iaquinta said in an interview with MMAFighting.
Paul Felder is coming off a decision loss against Dan Hooker at UFC Fight Night 168 on February 23. After the fight, Felder announced that he was contemplating retirement and wants to be with his family more. Felder has been discussing the possibility of retirement for a while after setbacks with injuries and finding opponents that will get him closer to a title shot in the lightweight division. He has found success working with the UFC has a broadcast commentator and an analyst, that can take him away from fighting.
Iaquinta is looking to bounce back from a two-fight losing streak, with his last loss being against Hooker at UFC 243 on October 6, 2019. His primary goal is to fight Poirier, which he thinks is “The fight to make,” according to his interview with MMA Fighting. However, Iaquinta is willing to fight Felder and said that “Paul Felder and I were supposed to fight in the past.” Some may recall Iaquinta and Felder were linked to fighting twice, most notably at UFC 223. “I think the fans have wanted to see it for a while, and I’d like to mix it up with him,” said Iaquinta. As of now, it seems Felder is leaning towards official retirement.
