After Bobby Green was forced to pull out of his fight with “Raging” Al Iaquinta at UFC Fight Night 71, Iaquinta’s future on the card was in question. Enter: Gilbert Melendez. Melendez, seeking redemption for his loss to Eddie Alvarez at UFC 188, signed the contract and is set to face Iaquinta on July 15, 2015 in San Diego, California.

Despite having a new opponent, Iaquinta’s gameplan is the same as it was before: Walk into the octagon, dominate, and walk out with his hands raised.

“…I’ve definitely been visualizing this moment and I’ve been visualizing it every way possible, and however it goes down I’m coming out with my hand raised.”

Iaquinta was realistic in his interview with Submission Radio and admitted that Melendez probably wasn’t excited about fighting somebody outside of the top ten. “This is what I’ve been dreaming about. I don’t think he’s been dreaming about a fight with number 13 ranked Al Iaquinta, but I’ve been dreaming about a match up with a top five guy to get me up there.”

Iaquinta is excited for the opportunity to prove himself against a top ranked fighter, and he was ecstatic when he heard Melendez had stepped in for Green. “You always see guys on TV and you look at them, you size ’em up, and I’m like, I wonder how I’d do against these guys? And now I’m gonna get to find out.”

Do you think Al Iaquinta is ready for someone like Gilbert Melendez? Who do you think will walk out of the octagon with the victory? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

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