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LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 31: Al Iaquinta makes weight during The Ultimate Fighter Live weigh in at the Palms Casino Resort on May 31, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Iaquinta

Al Iaquinta

TRAINING: My training schedule is different from day to day. I try to get three training sessions a day in during the week, consisting of strength and conditioning (Run, Swim or Lift), wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing / boxing.

Thoughts on opponent, Joe Proctor? Joe and I were both on Team Faber on the Live season of TUF. We got to know each other very well and trained with each other every day. Joe is a very tough guy with strong standup and strong grappling skills. We had training sessions on the set of TUF that would have been Fight of the Night worthy if they took place in the Octagon. We brawled. As good as our training was, I’ve improved in leaps and bounds since then and I have even more skills than I did back then.

When and why did you start training for fighting? 2006. I got finished with the college wrestling season and one of my buddies was doing it, so I went down to the gym, tried it out, got beat up a little bit, and I had to learn it.

What ranks and titles have you held? TUF Live finalist, Nassau County runner-up in wrestling, USKBA Amateur MMA 160lb North East Championship, Extreme Challenge Trials Lightweight Champion, Combat in the Cage MMA Lightweight Champion, USKBA Amateur Thaiboxing East coast Super Middleweight Champion, and former Ring of Combat lightweight champion

Do you have any heroes? My father

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? One step closer to the ultimate goal of being the best.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Associates degree from Nassau Community College

What was your job before you started fighting? Personal trainer

Ranks in any martial arts styles: Matt Serra Jiu-Jitsu purple belt

Favorite grappling technique: Splado

Favorite Striking technique: Head kick