The Ultimate Fighter Live
“The Ultimate Fighter: Live” television series ended last night (May 25, 2012) on FX with two members of Team Faber moving into the lightweight final set for next Friday in Las Vegas.
Meeting in the final to determine the season fifteen winner of “TUF” will be undefeated pro Mike ‘Maverick’ Chiesa (7-0) and New York fighter Al Iaquinta (5-1-1).
The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale will take place on June 1, 2012 at the Palms Casino Resort in Paradise, Nevada, United States.
Chiesa earned four straight wins to make it into the final, having won a second round TKO finish of Team Cruz fighter James Vick to punch his ticket to next weeks Finale. Chiesa was the No. 5 pick by coach Urijah Faber. Fans familiar with the show will recall that Chiesa lost his father early on in the season and was given permission to fly home for his father’s funeral.
“I feel great, it has been quite a journey,” said Chiesa, a so-called wrestler who’s now racked up two T/KO wins in a row. “A lot of ups and downs but I feel like I’ve earned my spot in the finale and I’m very excited to seize the moment.”
Iaquinta was the early favorite on the show and was the No. 1 pick by Faber. Iaquinta faced Team Cruz fighter Vinc Pichel, earning a unanimous decision victory to make his way into the final.
“I couldn’t have done it without a great team,” said Iaquinta. “Everyone really helped me out. The coaching staff was just awesome. Now I have the toughest fight of my life ahead of me, and I’m ready for it.”
The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale is scheduled to air this coming Friday (June 1, 2012) on FX starting at 9pm EST (6pm PST).