Al Iaquinta (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

Al Iaquinta defeated Kevin Lee back in 2014 when they fought, but the lightweight understands he’ll face a different fighter, when they rematch on December 15th.

Iaquinta and Lee are going to battle for a second time at UFC on FOX 31, which will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The lightweights fought at UFC 169, in what was Lee’s Octagon debut, and Iaquinta won the bout via unanimous decision.

The outspoken Iaquinta attended UFC 230 this past weekend, and he was asked how Lee has changed as a fighter, since they first met. Here is some of what the New York fighter had to say (quote via MMA Junkie):

“He’s definitely bigger and stronger and more mature as a fighter – probably less mature as a person,” Iaquinta said. “He’s polished. He’s seasoned. Now he’s been in there with really tough guys.”

“I remember at the weigh-ins he said something to (UFC President) Dana White like, ‘Get your checkbook ready, I’m coming to take over’ or whatever,” Iaquinta said. “So I definitely humbled him there, and he changed his life. He moved to Vegas, he switched camps. I think I’ve been in the guy’s head for a while, and he’s really looking forward to this.”

“He’s definitely put in the work,” Iaquinta said. “He’s all in. A guy willing to get up and move to Las Vegas because he thinks there’s a better team there is definitely serious. He’s coming to put it on me for sure. But on the other hand, I’ve been with Ray (Longo), I’ve been with Matt (Serra) forever. We have such a good bond. (Matt) Frevola coming over, (Aljamain Sterling), (Chris) Weidman, I don’t think he has anybody like that in his camp…”

Iaquinta is coming off a decision loss to lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov in April.