The Al Iaquinta dispute is not an individual issue.

When Al Iaquinta infamously flipped off the crowd after edging out a narrow split decision over Jorge Masvidal last April, no-one thought the road back to the octagon would be such a topsy-turvy tale for “Raging.” Out of his fight on his home soil at UFC 205, it looked like Madison Square Garden would have to wait for Iaquinta, however, it now looks like the pair may never meet.

It was all shaping up so perfect for the New York native. A return to the octagon after a 17-month-layoff, on home soil, potentially sharing the card with team-mate Chris Weidman, it couldn’t have been pictured any better.

Not the case.

Behind the scenes it was a different story, the bout agreement hadn’t even been signed yet, reluctant to put pen to paper, Iaquinta just couldn’t bring himself to sign on the dotted line. Why though? Who cares, he can fight someone else? It’s not quite that simple. Digging into the facts, the opponent, or even the destination is not the issue in this dispute, it’s the one thing that most fighters tend to shy away from discussing. Contracts.

Iaquinta last fought in March 2015 - he won a close split decision
against Jorge Masvidal.
Credit: mmafrenzy

Speaking on The MMA Hour, Iaquinta discussed in detail about the injuries and treatments that have caused him such a lengthy lay off.

Originally, Iaquinta was planning on undergoing an allograft to repair his injured knee, under Dr. Riley Williams in New York. The UFC thought otherwise. Adamant that stem cell surgery would not work to treat his injured ACL, Iaquinta flew out to L.A go ahead with it regardless, much under the UFC’s command. Six months later, there is no progress and he is back at square one.

Iaquinta stated that ironically after this disappointment, the UFC only offered to pay less than half of his $60,000 allograft surgery with Dr. Williams. However, after some time the organization did pay the full cost. It was this, accompanied with the newly instated Reebok deal which left Iaquinta ‘ripping his hair out.’

Iaquinta in action vs Masvidal
Credit: Bloody Elbow

Now we all know about the Reebok deal by now, it’s been in tuition for over a year now. But it wasn’t until this situation with Iaquinta, that I myself realized, how little I knew about it. I had no idea that prior to the Reebok deal, fighters were being paid monthly by their sponsors, I was under the impression it was only per fight. I guess there’s a reason fighters keep this stuff behind closed doors. It’s shocking.

I believe the pivotal point of this situation is not necessarily the fact that Iaquinta signed his UFC contact before the Reebok deal was introduced, because that’s common sense, he hasn’t fought since April of last year, and besides, many other fighters are in that position too. What interests me is looking at where Iaquinta stands, ranking wise, in the company.

Now of course he is not one of the faces of the UFC, or even his division in that case. But this is a guy who is ranked #13 in one of the toughest divisions in the UFC. So what does that mean? It means that if you’re an upcoming fighter, making and breaking your butt off to try and step foot into the UFC, you better buckle up because it will be rougher than a bumpy ride. Not everyone can talk-the-talk like Conor McGregor to build up their persona, and certainly no-one can avoid the ever so present injuries of the sport.

If there was ever a time for a fighter’s voice, it’s now.

UFC 203: Will Miocic be another victim to the hometown curse?

 

Strike one. UFC 188: Mexico City, Mexico, Cardio Cain is contrastingly outworked by Fabricio 'Vai Cavalo' Werdum, and is eventually submitted much to the shock of his loyal Mexican followers.

Strike two. UFC 198: Curitiba, Brazil, the calculated, technical Vai Cavalo uncharacteristically runs hands down at Stipe Miocic, only to be knocked out stiff in front of his home faithful.

Strike three. UFC 203: Cleveland, Ohio, we wait for the consensus to be answered.

With a combined total of 56 MMA fights on his resume, and an impressive kickboxing career to match, Alistair Overeem is certainly not lacking in the experience aspect when he faces Stipe Miocic this Saturday, for the UFC heavyweight title. As usual, this title fight means much more than a gold belt to Overeem. Looking to become the first fighter ever to hold belt's in three different MMA organizations (Dream, Strikeforce and UFC) Overeem believes this fight will cement his legacy.

Miocic celebrates winning the UFC Heavyweight
title, after knocking out Fabricio Werdum.
Credit: @stipemiocicufc

Overeem's myriad of experience is not something in which Miocic (or most fighters in that case) can say they have under their belt. Being fairly new to the game, but winning the most prized assets of all so quickly, Miocic has dispatched some of the most seasoned UFC veterans on his pathway to becoming the champ. Most notably his effortless knockout of Fabricio Werdum, who also fights on this card, back at UFC 198 in May.

Well known for his durable wrestling, as shown in his five-round masterclass over Mark Hunt, Miocic's boxing is the foundation of his MMA game, and being a Golden Gloves champion, saying he shines in this aspect is an understatement. A great analysis by Dan Hardy, shows the acute angle, and minimal build-up Miocic's punches have, using his bodyweight in rhythm to generate devastating knock-out power. For Overeem, it is the tenacious kickboxing which catches your eye when he fights. Although with a plethora of his finishes coming from kicks and knees, Overeem is certainly comfortable when the fight hits the canvas too. Surprisingly, he has more submission wins then knockouts, and his guillotine has been a frequent feature of these wins.

Before Miocic and Overeem let fists fly, two men (who will be very interested in that headliner) square off in a re-match of a one-sided affair back in 2014. When Travis Browne came into his first fight with Werdum, he was a 2-to-1 favourite riding three consecutive knockouts over Josh Barnett, Gabriel Gonzaga and the man in the main event, Overeem! 

However, Werdum was not bothered by Browne's success. Thoroughly outclassing him in wherever the fight went, many say to date that was Werdum's best performance inside the octagon. Since that fight, it's been a rocky road for Browne. Troubles outside the octagon, and inconsistent performances inside, a win is crucial if Browne wants to make a serious run for that title. 

 

Werdum dominated Browne in all aspects in their first fight.
Credit: Bleacher Report

Having your first pro MMA bout on the main card of a UFC pay-per-view is something that no fighter can have to claim, that will no longer be the case this Saturday. CM Punk becomes only the second man to make the transition from WWE to MMA, as he takes a fellow UFC newcomer in Mickey Gall. When Lesnar made the same move as Punk, criticism was not as apparent due to Lesnar's freak appearance, and successful college wrestling background.

Due to Punk having no MMA experience whatsoever, he has been under the cosh from many big names in the UFC. Unphased by this, Punk will be making his highly-anticipated debut after almost two years of training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, with some of the UFC's biggest names, such as Anthony Pettis, and recently crowned welterweight champ, Tyron Woodley.

This card definitely has the potential to be a thrilling night of fights, from seasoned veterans, to noobie newcomers, UFC 203 will be worth the watch.