Al Iaquinta (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Justin Gaethje has made it clear he still wants to battle Al Iaquinta in the near future, but “Ragin Al” is looking to land a bout with a lightweight who’s higher ranked.

Gaethje and Iaquinta were expected to fight last August, but the bout fell through and Gaethje went on to knockout James Vick. That was Gathje’s last outing, while Iaquinta fought last month and earned a decision win over Kevin Lee.

More recently Iaquinta spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing Gaethje’s calls for the two to fight, he said this:

“I’m looking up in the rankings,” Iaquinta said. “I think Gaethje, he’s kind of had his opportunity, and he chose to fight Vick. He wanted to do what was best for him, so now I’m going to do what’s best for me. Fighting below me in the rankings is definitely not (it). It’s a good fight, but I think there’s guys that’ll put me right up there. Those are the guys I’m gunning for.

“And I think that the fans want that, and the UFC wants that, so I think everyone is on the same page, except for him.”

Currently, Iaquinta is ranked #4 in the UFC’s 155 division, and Dustin Poirier is #3, Conor McGregor is #2 and Tony Ferguson is #1. Gaethje is sitting in the #7 position.