UFC on FOX 31 video highlights: Al Iaquinta wins gritty decision over Kevin Lee

The UFC’s #8 lightweight Al Iaquinta defeated the #4 ranked lightweight Kevin Lee by unanimous decision in the UFC on FOX 31 main event.

The lightweights went back and forth on the feet in the opening act with each man landing solid blows. The second round saw Lee find a takedown, complete with back take, but Iaquinta scrambled back up and began to jab away. Lee sniffed out the back position once again in the third round, off the strength of one of his takedowns. Iaquinta rallied in the fourth round, using his strikes to take over. Lee’s output dwindled at this point, allowing Iaquinta to run away with the round. Lee worked for his takedown in the final round, but Iaquinta did a superb job of staying vertical. Iaquinta walked down Lee for the closing moments of the round.

Check out Tim Burke’s play-by-play of the final round between Kevin Lee and Al Iaquinta:

Round 5 – Lee with a right. Iaquinta lands a glancing one. Lee shoots in on a leg. They scramble like crazy on the ground and back to the feet. But Lee still has a single leg. Iaquinta is fighting it off. They’ve stalemated. Still battling. Lee has a leg grapevined. Iaquinta is fighting his hands. They separate. That was huge for Iaquinta. Jab from Iaquinta. Another. Left over the top from Lee. He lands a head kick! Iaquinta just eats it and fires back with a combo. Still anyone’s fight. lee with a left. Iaquinta with a huge combo and Lee is hurt! He circles away. Lee with a body kick. One minute to go. Iaquinta with a right over the top. Lee fires back. Al sticks the left. Huge right from Al! It’s on! Another! Lee is wobbly. Front kick to the chin from Iaquinta! Body kick! MASSIVE right hook! Al Iaquinta is awesome! 10-9 and 48-47 Iaquinta.

Al Iaquinta defeated Kevin Lee via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)