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Pickett would choose Team Faber, but backs Cruz

Brad Pickett sees some of himself in Urijah Faber © Getty Images

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Brad Pickett believes he would want to be on Team Faber if he was a contestant on TUF Live, but he predicts Dominick Cruz is most likely to win the UFC bantamweight title rematch against the California Kid.

Cruz and Faber go head-to-head as rival coaches on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, culminating in a third fight between the pair - who have won one bout each in the past.

Pickett has his own designs on Cruz's belt so he does not find it easy to side with either man, even though he respects both. But, forced on the issue, the Brit admits Faber would be his choice of coach.

"I like both guys, but stylistically I'd want to be on Urijah's team," Pickett told ESPN. "His style is more like mine, his wrestling is like mine, he's got the guillotine - he's more my body type.

"Cruz is a hard man to beat, you're going to have to put him away, you won't decision him. I think the UFC would like Faber to win, shake the division up, but it'll be a close fight. Both guys can finish it, but if it goes five rounds it's Cruz's again."

Stylistically, Pickett often stalks down his opponent, uses head movement to get in close and throws punches in bunches. That type of fighter could be useful against the elusive Cruz, and Pickett admits he would go for the jugular.

"I would pose plenty of threat to Cruz. If it went five rounds I wouldn't win, but I'd have to put him away - and that suits me fine."

Pickett is one of many UFC stars to be attending The MMA Show Live on May 12/13 at the NEC in Birmingham, a ground-breaking event featuring more top level MMA fighters than any other show of its kind in Europe. The interactive expo has sold over 14,000 tickets already, with 30,000 fans expected across the whole weekend

Tickets for The MMA Show Live are priced from £20 and available from www.theticketfactory.com or by calling 0844 338 0338. For more information visit www.themmashowlive.com

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