The eagle finally got what he has been behind since he joined the AKA in 2012. Though Al Iaquinta is far away from the same level at which Khabib fights, he still took Khabib to the full 5 rounds for the first time in his career. Al came in with his hands low ready to defend the takedowns but was unable to defend them. Khabib’s relentless pressure for the first three rounds and Al’s toughness kept the fight going. At one point, Al began pouring punches and got the attention of Khabib. The final round was where Khabib had enough and took Al to the ground with the intention of submitting him, but many attempts later Al was still defending and wading off the submissions.
Khabib gets the takedown, but Iaquinta gets back to his feet! #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/6GVULPzrcI
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018
Khabib flattens out Iaquinta and starts landing hard shots, but @AlIaquinta gets out of it and survives the round! #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/RdADBUetuN
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018
OHH! @AlIaquinta lands big shots on Khabib in round 3!! #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/KJyHvmY9J6
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018
They're exchanging in round 5!!!@TeamKhabib & @AlIaquinta going to battle! #UFC223 pic.twitter.com/uMgVh89fcB
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018
5 rounds for 15lbs of gold#UFC223 pic.twitter.com/qWzi4RgUWn
— UFC (@ufc) April 8, 2018