Michael Chiesa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Chiesa
Michael Chiesa at UFC 232 in Inglewood, California, in December 2018
Born	Michael Keith Chiesa (1987-12-07) December 7, 1987 (age 37) Aurora, Colorado, U.S.
Nickname(s)	Maverick
Residence	Spokane Valley, Washington, U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)
Division	Lightweight (2011–2018) Welterweight (2008–2011, 2018–present)
Reach	75 in (191 cm)
Style	Wrestling, Kickboxing
Stance	Southpaw
Fighting out of	Spokane Valley, Washington, U.S.
Team	Sikjitsu (2008–present) Team Alpha Male Syndicate MMA (2013–present)
Teacher(s)	Rick Little
Rank	Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under James Weed
Years active	2008–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total	26
Wins	19
By submission	12
By decision	7
Losses	7
By knockout	1
By submission	5
By decision	1

Michael Keith Chiesa (born December 7, 1987) is an American professional mixed martial artist. He is also a sports analyst. Michael Chiesa currently competes in the Welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has been a professional fighter since 2008. Chiesa won the first live season of The Ultimate Fighter: Live on FX.

Michael Chiesa's Early Life and Background

Michael Chiesa was born in Aurora, Colorado. He moved to Spokane County, Washington, when he was young. He grew up in Otis Orchards-East Farms with his two older sisters. Until he was 11, Michael mostly skateboarded. Then, he started wrestling. Just before his sixteenth birthday, Chiesa moved to live with his dad and stepmom. He wrestled at Shadle Park High School and graduated from there. He briefly attended Spokane Falls Community College before leaving to become a mixed martial artist.

Michael Chiesa's Mixed Martial Arts Career

Starting His Fighting Journey

Michael Chiesa began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2008. He fought for different local groups in the Pacific Northwest. He won his first seven fights without any losses. This success gave him a chance to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Live reality show.

Becoming The Ultimate Fighter

Chiesa was one of 32 lightweight fighters chosen by the UFC. They were picked to be on the first live season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.

Chiesa earned his spot in The Ultimate Fighter house. He also received a $5,000 bonus. He won his elimination fight against Johnavan Vistante by submission. He was the fifth fighter chosen for Team Faber. Sadly, Chiesa's father, who was very ill, passed away shortly after this victory.

After his teammate Al Iaquinta won, Chiesa's coach decided he would fight Jeremy Larsen next. Chiesa defeated Larsen by a unanimous decision after two rounds.

For his quarter-final fight, Chiesa faced Justin Lawrence. Lawrence was a highly favored fighter. After two tough rounds, the judges called it a draw. The fight went to a third "sudden-victory" round. Early in the third round, Chiesa took control on the ground. He gained a mount position and won the fight by TKO. This earned him another $5,000 bonus and a spot in the semi-finals.

Chiesa was chosen to fight Team Cruz fighter, James Vick, in the semi-final. Chiesa won this fight by technical knockout in the second round. He then moved on to the finals. There, he faced his Team Faber teammate, Al Iaquinta.

Fighting in the UFC

Chiesa officially made his UFC debut on June 1, 2012. This was at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale. He fought against his teammate Al Iaquinta. Chiesa defeated Iaquinta by a technical submission. He used a rear-naked choke just 2 minutes and 47 seconds into the first round. This made him the first winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Live. He also received the Submission of the Night award for his great effort.

Chiesa was supposed to fight Rafaello Oliveira in December 2012. However, Oliveira had to pull out due to a broken hand. Marcus LeVesseur replaced him. Then, Chiesa also had to withdraw from the fight due to illness. The fight was cancelled.

Chiesa's next fight was against Anton Kuivanen in February 2013 at UFC 157. Chiesa won by submitting Kuivanen with a rear-naked choke in the second round.

He was set to face Reza Madadi in July 2013. But Madadi was removed from the fight due to visa problems. Chiesa instead fought Jorge Masvidal. Masvidal stopped Chiesa in the second round with a d'arce choke submission. This was Chiesa's first loss in his professional career.

Chiesa then faced Ultimate Fighter winner Colton Smith in November 2013. He won this fight by submission in the second round. This win also earned Chiesa his second Submission of the Night bonus.

Chiesa fought Francisco Trinaldo in May 2014 at UFC 173. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Chiesa faced Joe Lauzon in September 2014. Lauzon defeated Chiesa by TKO in the second round. This happened after a cut above Chiesa's right eye forced the doctor to stop the fight. Both fighters earned Fight of the Night honors for their exciting performance.

Chiesa fought Mitch Clarke in April 2015. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

He faced Jim Miller in December 2015. He won this fight by submission in the second round. This bout also earned Chiesa his second Fight of the Night bonus.

Chiesa fought Beneil Dariush in April 2016. He won the fight by submission in the second round. He also received a Performance of the Night bonus for this win.

Chiesa was scheduled to fight Tony Ferguson in July 2016. However, Chiesa pulled out of the fight due to a back injury.

Chiesa faced Kevin Lee in June 2017. Chiesa lost the fight by technical submission in the first round. He later appealed the decision, but it was not changed.

Even with one fight left on his contract, Chiesa signed a new four-fight deal with UFC in August 2017.

UFC 223 Incident

Chiesa was supposed to fight Anthony Pettis in April 2018 at UFC 223. However, the fight was cancelled. This happened after an incident backstage with Conor McGregor. Chiesa was on a UFC bus when McGregor caused a window to break. Chiesa was hit by glass shards, which caused a cut on his forehead. He needed to go to the hospital, and his fight was cancelled. A disagreement about the incident was later settled.

The fight with Pettis was rescheduled for UFC 226. At the weigh-ins, Chiesa weighed 157.5 pounds. This was 1.5 pounds over the lightweight limit. So, the fight became a catchweight bout. Chiesa gave 30% of his earnings to Pettis. Chiesa lost the fight by submission in the second round. After this loss, Chiesa announced he would move up to the welterweight division.

Moving to Welterweight Division

Chiesa faced Carlos Condit in December 2018 at UFC 232. He won the fight by submission in the second round.

Chiesa fought Diego Sanchez in July 2019 at UFC 239. He won the fight by unanimous decision. Chiesa dedicated this win to the memory of Jess Roskelley.

Chiesa faced Rafael dos Anjos in January 2020. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Chiesa fought Neil Magny in January 2021. Chiesa won the fight by unanimous decision. He controlled Magny on the ground for most of the five rounds.

Chiesa faced Vicente Luque in August 2021 at UFC 265. He lost the fight by submission in the first round.

Chiesa fought Sean Brady in November 2021. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

Chiesa was scheduled to fight Li Jingliang in April 2023. However, Jingliang pulled out of the fight due to a spine injury.

Chiesa faced Kevin Holland in July 2023 at UFC 291. He lost the bout by a brabo choke submission in the first round.

Chiesa fought Tony Ferguson in August 2024 at UFC on ABC 7. He won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

On his birthday, Chiesa faced Max Griffin in December 2024 at UFC 310. He won the fight by a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

Chiesa faced Court McGee in June 2025 at UFC on ESPN 69. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Film and Television Appearances

Chiesa was part of the award-winning mixed martial arts documentary Fight Life. The film was directed by James Z. Feng and came out in 2013.

Since May 2018, Chiesa has often worked as a desk analyst at UFC events. He helps explain the fights to viewers.

Championships and Achievements

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • The Ultimate Fighter 15 Tournament winner
  • Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller
  • Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Al Iaquinta and Colton Smith
  • Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Beneil Dariush
  • Fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC Welterweight division history (0.94)
  • Most submission losses by D'Arce choke in UFC history (3)
  • Tied (Kenny Florian) for second most rear-naked choke submissions in UFC history (7) (behind Demian Maia)
• Lords of the Cage
  • LOTC Lightweight Championship (One time)
• MMAJunkie.com
  • 2016 April Submission of the Month vs. Beneil Dariush
  • 2018 December Submission of the Month vs. Carlos Condit

Mixed Martial Arts Record Summary

See also

In Spanish: Michael Chiesa para niños

• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists