Iaquinta pursuing Myles (photo Josh Hedges / Zuffa )

By FCF Staff

Team Faber has taken a 2-1 lead over Team Cruz in the ongoing season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, as Al Iaquinta worked his way to split decision win over Myles Jury in the show’s latest bout, which aired live on FX Friday.

With the victory, Team Faber has selected Michael Chiesa to fight Jeremy Larsen next Friday on April 5^th.

Here’s what some of the show’s participants and observers had to say about the latest episode and what’s in store for next week.

UFC President Dana White:

“There were some exciting exchanges in the first and second round and I think the judges scored them perfectly. But when you go to a sudden-victory round it means you’re hanging in there by a thread. You need to go out there and kill it. I don’t think either guy went out there in that third round and looked like they wanted to win it. They just wanted it enough to win and just enough not to lose. Faber wanted that win bad. To finally regain control is big for him. They’re (Team Faber) back in the game – with a huge momentum shift.”

Al Iaquinta:

“I knew it wasn’t going straight to a decision and I had a feeling we were going to the sudden-victory round. To get the win is great! It’s crazy. It’s a whole new game now.

“It was definitely a different routine getting ready for this fight. I’ve had the same guys helping me for every one of my pro fights. This team was great though and they did a good job getting me ready.”

Urijah Faber:

“I feel great, especially for Al. These wins are really for the guys. This is Al’s dream and he fought his heart out. Jury is a guy with a great mentality and to beat a guy like that is awesome for Al’s resume. Hoping to keep the (Team Faber) streak alive. And it took a little pep out of Cruz’s step which is great!”

Myles Jury:

“I just feel like it’s a tough loss but it’s a great learning experience for me and I’ll be back better than ever. The decision is the way it is. I could sit here and say I won but that’s not how it came out. I’m going to go back and take a look at what I did and see how I can improve.”

Dominick Cruz:

“It was a tough close fight and a learning experience for Myles Jury but I’m proud of him because he never stopped fighting and he went for broke. And he made it through the training camp and that’s always the hard part.

“I like the pick for next week. I’m good with it because, what he doesn’t know is that Jeremy has a history of fighting solid wrestlers.”

Michael Chiesa

“First and foremost, I want to congratulate Al and Myles on a great fight. I’m very thankful that Team Faber got the hammer back, cause that means now I can do what I came here to do and that’s to put on a show. Training has been great. I’m feeling healthy. I’m in good shape and all these good fights have been amping me up and getting me ready to scrap.”

Jeremy Larsen

“I feel fantastic. Super excited. I was talking to Dominick (Cruz), telling him I wanted to fight next anyway. Some guys like to finish fight’s, I like three-round wars. So tune-in and get ready for some great action.