Al Iaquinta knocks out Ross Pearson at UFC Fight Night 55
Ross Pearson, left, is hit with a right hand by Al Iaquinta in their lightweight fight during the UFC Fight Night 55 event at Allphones Arena on November 8, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. Credit: Getty Images
Adrenaline elevates people to different levels.
For Al Iaquinta, it escalated his in-cage interview skills to new heights, which makes sense given he had just knocked out Ross Pearson in what was the biggest fight of his young career in the UFC.
Iaquinta stopped Pearson with a big right hand and follow-up flurries 99 seconds into the second round of their lightweight bout at UFC Fight Night 55 in Sydney, Australia, on Friday night.
"I'm gonna go suplex a kangaroo," the Wantagh-based Iaquinta said. "I'm gonna put Jaws in a camel clutch. I'm going to make the lightweight division humble."
After a fairly even first round, Pearson (18-8) threw a headkick with his left leg. Iaquinta (10-3-1, 5-2 UFC) was able to block it and counter with a right hand to the face that floored Pearson.
Pearson got back to his feet quickly, but Iaquinta continued to pressure the British fighter up against the cage. Iaquinta, a Serra-Longo fighter, never relented, landing several clean punches in a flurry that eventually sent Pearson to the mat and ended the bout.
"This is the biggest win of my career," Iaquinta said. "Ross Pearson is a big name, an accomplished veteran and I finished him down in Australia. That’s big for any lightweight."
