Last night’s Ultimate Fighter saw both judges picking their teams for the season’s tournament. With fans having the opportunity to have seen every fighter’s fight to “get in the house” it was a bit more compelling to watch the “draft” than in previous seasons.
The UFC sent out a press release covering the full roster for each team:
By winning the coin toss, Faber got the option of choosing the firstfight or making the first fighter selection. He chose the former, leaving Cruz with the initial fighter pick.
Cruz’s choices (in order): Justin Lawrence (4-0), Villa Ridge, Mo.; Sam Sicilia (11-0), Spokane Valley, Wash.; MylesJury (10-0), San Diego, Calif.; Mike Rio (9-1), Miami, Fla., James Vick (5-0); Vinc Pichel (8-0), Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Chris Tickle (8-4), Bloomington, Ill.; and Jeremy Larsen (9-2), Phoenix, Ariz.
Faber’s choices (in order): Al Iaquinta (6-1-1), Wantagh, N.Y.; Cristiano Marcello (13-3), Curitiba, Brazil; Daron Cruickshank (10-2); Joe Proctor (8-1), Pembroke, Mass.; Michael Chiesa (8-0), Spokane Valley, Wash., John Cofer (8-1), Hull, Ga.; Andy Ogle (9-1), Tynemouth, England; and Chris Saunders (10-2), Long Beach, Calif.
Which team seems to have the edge?