When Al Iaquinta returns this weekend to stake his claim for lightweight contendership against Donald Cerrone in the main event of UFC Ottawa, it will be a serendipitous dip into familiar waters for the New York native.
That’s because the matchup against “Cowboy” nearly happened eight years ago, when the mixed martial arts world looked quite different than it does today. Back in 2011, Iaquinta was just a burgeoning 24-year-old prospect racking up wins on the regional scene, while Cerrone was fresh off making his Octagon debut following a successful run as one of the most established names in the WEC’s fabled blue cage.