Nurmagomedov Praises Iaquinta For Win, Advises Lee to 'Stay Humble'

Kevin Lee and Al Iaquinta met in the main event of UFC of Fox 31 for a chance to move up in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s cutthroat lightweight division, and the man who sits atop that division appears to have been paying attention.

Lee and Iaquinta previously met back at UFC 169 in February 2014 as two relatively green fighters just starting to make their name in the sport; in fact, it was Lee’s UFC debut. Iaquinta was victorious on that night, winning by unanimous decision. In the intervening four and a half years, both fighters elevated their stock significantly. While Lee came into Saturday’s rematch as the favourite, it was the New Yorker who used his slick boxing skills to earn another unanimous decision victory.

One interested observer on Saturday night was the undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov who took to Twitter to congratulate Iaquinta on the hard-fought win.

Congratulations @ALIAQUINTA
I know how strong you are, that's why I was waiting for your fight. #truetalker

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 16, 2018

"Congratulations [Al Iaquinta]," Nurmagomedov wrote. "I know how strong you are, that's why I was waiting for your fight."

“The Eagle” took on “Ragin’ Al” in a short-notice fight at UFC 223 back in April, claiming the lightweight title with a unanimous decision win.

The man from Dagestan also offered some advice to the visibly upset Lee to ‘stay humble’ after the loss, writing, "Stay humble Kevin Lee. Humble is the key."

Stay humble Kevin lee.
Humble is the key.

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 16, 2018