Michael Chiesa

Fighter Facts

• Team Faber member on TUF 15
   
• Pro since 2008
   
• Six UFC fights at welterweight (4-2)
   
• Had amateur record of 2-1
   
• Eleven wins by submission (8 RNC, D’Arce, triangle, kimura)
   
• Five first round finishes, all in under three minutes
   
• Has won nine of his last 14 and four of his last six

UFC History 

UFC Fight Night (11/20/21) Chiesa lost a three round unanimous decision to Sean Brady
UFC 265 (8/7/21) Chiesa was submitted by Vicente Luque via D'Arce choke at 3:25 of the first round
UFC on ESPN (1/20/21) Chiesa won a five round unanimous decision over Neil Magny
UFC Fight Night (1/25/20) Chiesa won a three round unanimous decision over Rafael Dos Anjos
UFC 239 (7/6/19) Chiesa won a three round unanimous decision over Diego Sanchez
UFC 232 (12/29/18) Chiesa submitted Carlos Condit via kimura at :56 of the second round
UFC 226 (7/6/18) Chiesa was submitted by Anthony Pettis via triangle armbar at :52 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (6/25/17) Chiesa was submitted by Kevin Lee via rear naked choke at 4:37 of the first round
UFC on FOX (4/16/16) Chiesa submitted Beneil Dariush via rear naked choke at 1:20 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (12/10/15) Chiesa submitted Jim Miller via rear naked choke at 2:57 of the second round
UFC Fight Night (4/4/15) Chiesa won a three round unanimous decision over Mitch Clarke
UFC Fight Night (9/5/14) Chiesa was stopped by Joe Lauzon due to a cut at 2:14 of the second round
UFC 173 (5/24/14) Chiesa won a three round unanimous decision over Francisco Trinaldo
UFC Fight for the Troops (11/6/13) Chiesa submitted Colton Smith via rear naked choke at 1:41 of the second round
UFC on FOX (7/27/13) Chiesa was submitted by Jorge Masvidal via D’Arce choke at 4:59 of the second round
UFC 157 (2/23/13) Chiesa submitted Anton Kuivanen via rear naked choke at 2:29 of the second round
TUF 15 Finale (6/1/12) Chiesa won season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter, submitting Al Iaquinta via rear naked choke at 2:47 of the first round

The Ultimate FIghter, Season 15
On episode 12 (semifinals) Chiesa stopped James Vick via strikes in the second round
On episode 10 (quarterfinals) Chiesa stopped Justin Lawrence via strikes at 1:02 of the third round
On episode five, Chiesa won a two round unanimous decision over Jeremy Larsen
On episode one, Chiesa submitted Johnavan Vistante via rear naked choke at 2:05 of the first round

Q&A
When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training after I saw my first UFC when I was in seventh grade. I just knew that I wanted to be a fighter.
What ranks and titles have you held? I was an outstanding wrestler in high school, and as an amateur I had six titles before I turned pro. I have one pro title in LOTC. I’m a purple belt under James Weed at Newborn Jiu-Jitsu.
Do you have any heroes? My dad and my grandpa
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It means everything to me just because it’s the premier organization in the sport of mixed martial arts. It’s what I’ve wanted to do and where I’ve wanted to be since I was just a kid. It’s the culmination of all the hard work I put in over the years of wrestling and competing in MMA.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I did three days of college and then I dropped out so I could start fighting.
What was your job before you started fighting? I worked full-time for the Budweiser distributor back home in Spokane.
Favorite grappling technique: I like to scramble and make it messy
Favorite Striking technique: Jab, cross, spinning elbow to a double leg