UFC Fight Night 63 Results: 3 Fights for Al Iaquinta to Take Next

Al Iaquinta’s controversial split-decision victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 63 might not have been the resounding win he was hunting for, but the Serra-Longo protégé can take comfort in the fact that he is officially on a four-fight winning streak in the sport’s most talent-stacked division.

Regardless of how one scored the fight, Iaquinta’s ability to compete on even terms with a skilled veteran like Masvidal was undoubtedly an eye-opener for some—including me and everyone else on the prediction team.

The 27-year-old has improved almost beyond measure since his time on The Ultimate Fighter and deserves an opportunity to test his skills against someone in or around the division’s top 10. Who will provide that test? Read on and indulge as I ponder that very question.

Tony Ferguson

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With so many fighters in the bottom half of the top 15 coming off losses, finding a suitable dance partner for Iaquinta is more difficult than one might imagine. Indeed, Tony Ferguson is the sole exception, having bested Gleison Tibau last time out.

The former TUF winner has put together a five-fight win streak since a loss to Michael Johnson in mid-2012. Both fighters are aggressive and well-rounded, which should make for a fun contest.

Ferguson is currently scheduled to take on Josh Thomson at UFC Fight Night 51 in July. Should the 31-year-old come out on top, a fight with Iaquinta should give him the opportunity to establish his spot in the top 10.

In the event that Ferguson loses…

Josh Thomson

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There’s no question that Josh Thomson has seen better days in the sport. The 36-year-old has lost three of his last four fights. Whether he should still be ranked inside the division’s top 10 is certainly debatable, but the AKA veteran remains a prize scalp for any up-and-comer.

With recent form in mind, Thomson will likely be the underdog when he meets Ferguson in July. However, he possesses so many tools that the fight is bound to be extremely competitive. Should Thomson pull off the minor upset, a fight with Iaquinta would help re-establish his status as one of the top lightweights in the world.

For Iaquinta, a meeting with Thomson is an opportunity to prove himself against one of the most respected lightweights of the past 10 years. Of course, this is assuming that Thomson is keen to remain active, and that is by no means a foregone conclusion.

Myles Jury

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Myles Jury didn’t make the most of his opportunity against Donald Cerrone in January, maintaining a frustratingly conservative style throughout the contest, despite being well behind on the scorecards.

To be blunt, I have long felt that Jury is overrated. There’s no question that the former TUF competitor has plenty of potential, but the hype never quite felt justified.

That being said, the 26-year-old has time to improve and remains an excellent fighter. The UFC isn’t ordinarily keen to pair a fighter coming off a win with a fighter coming off a loss, but a fight between two of the division’s hottest prospects is difficult to pass up.

Both men will be eager to justify their hype, and the winner will have established a place near the top of the lightweight division.