A Wantagh man was announced this week as one of 32 lightweights that will compete on season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter on FX.
Al Iaquinta, a former standout wrestler at and Nassau Community College, will be appearing on the nationally televised tournament-based show, also known as TUF Live, when it premiers on March 9 at 9 p.m. on FX with 16 elimination-round fights.
The winners of the elimination bouts during the live two-and-a-half-hour premier episode each earn official cast-member status for the show, which is airing on FX for the first time this season after it was previously shown on Spike TV.
The show is produced by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which is the largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company in the world.
According to the website mixedmartialarts.com, Iaquinta, 24, has a 6-1-1 record as a professional fighter. The Wantagh resident was previously unbeaten in 12 amateur bouts. He has been trained by UFC Welterweight Champion and East Meadow native Matt Serra.
Iaquinta was selected as one 32 finalists trimmed from more than 500 prospective fighters from around the world.
Coaches for TUF 15 include current UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and former World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion and current top contender, Urijah Faber.
Previous seasons taped the fights over a six-week period, but TUF 15 will have all bouts aired live. The TUF 15 champion will be crowned on June 1 during a live season finale. The eventual winner will receive a six-figure contract from the UFC.
