Michael Keith Chiesa is an American professional mixed martial artist, and sports analyst who currently competes in the welterweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
57 Facts About Michael Chiesa
2.
Michael Chiesa was born in Aurora, Colorado but moved to Spokane County, Washington in his early years, growing up in Otis Orchards-East Farms with two older sisters.
3.
Mere days before his sixteenth birthday, Michael Chiesa moved out to live with his dad and stepmom in order to get away from his mentally and physically abusive biological mother.
4.
Michael Chiesa wrestled at Shadle Park High School from where he graduated before attending Spokane Falls Community College for three days before dropping out in pursuit of a career in mixed martial arts.
5.
Michael Chiesa began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2008.
6.
Michael Chiesa fought for several regional promotions in the Pacific Northwest, going undefeated in his first seven fights, before gaining an opportunity to appear on The Ultimate Fighter: Live reality show.
7.
Michael Chiesa was one of 32 lightweight fighters announced by the UFC to participate in first live season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.
8.
Michael Chiesa earned his way into The Ultimate Fighter house, and a $5,000 bonus, with a submission victory over Johnavan Vistante in the elimination rounds.
9.
Michael Chiesa was chosen as the fifth pick for Team Faber.
10.
Michael Chiesa would go on to defeat Larsen by unanimous decision after two rounds.
11.
Early in the third round, Michael Chiesa was able to reverse Lawrence on the ground, gain a mount position and win the fight by TKO, earning a $5,000 knock-out bonus and a place in the semi-finals.
12.
Michael Chiesa was selected to fight Team Cruz fighter, James Vick, in the semi-final round.
13.
Michael Chiesa won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.
14.
Michael Chiesa moved on to the finals against Team Faber teammate Al Iaquinta.
15.
Michael Chiesa officially made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale on June 1,2012, against fellow Team Faber teammate Al Iaquinta.
16.
Michael Chiesa defeated Iaquinta by technical submission due to a rear-naked choke 2:47 into the opening round thus becoming The Ultimate Fighter: Live's inaugural winner and received Submission of the Night honors for his efforts.
17.
Michael Chiesa was expected to face Rafaello Oliveira on December 8,2012, at UFC on Fox 5.
18.
Michael Chiesa next fought Anton Kuivanen on February 23,2013, at UFC 157.
19.
Michael Chiesa submitted Kuivanen with a rear-naked choke in the second round.
20.
Michael Chiesa was expected to face Reza Madadi on July 27,2013, at UFC on Fox 8.
21.
Michael Chiesa was stopped by Masvidal in the second round due to a d'arce choke submission, resulting in the first defeat in his professional career.
22.
Michael Chiesa next faced Ultimate Fighter winner Colton Smith on November 6,2013, at UFC Fight Night 31.
23.
Michael Chiesa won the fight via submission in the second round.
24.
Michael Chiesa faced Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 173 on May 24,2014.
25.
Michael Chiesa faced Joe Lauzon on September 5,2014, at UFC Fight Night 50.
26.
Michael Chiesa faced Mitch Clarke on April 4,2015, at UFC Fight Night 63.
27.
Michael Chiesa faced Jim Miller on December 10,2015, at UFC Fight Night 80.
28.
Michael Chiesa won the fight via submission in the second round.
29.
Michael Chiesa faced Beneil Dariush on April 16,2016, at UFC on Fox 19.
30.
Michael Chiesa won the bout via submission in the second round and was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.
31.
Michael Chiesa was expected to face Tony Ferguson on July 13,2016, at UFC Fight Night 91.
32.
Michael Chiesa faced Kevin Lee on June 25,2017, at UFC Fight Night 112.
33.
At a UFC summer kick off press conference in association with UFC 211, Kevin Lee mentioned Michael Chiesa's mother had tickets to the show, in which Michael Chiesa responded "don't you ever talk about my mom".
34.
Michael Chiesa lost the fight via technical submission at the end of the first round.
35.
Michael Chiesa appealed to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission to overturn the defeat, claiming referee Mario Yamasaki erred both in stopping the fight despite no tapout nor loss of consciousness and in allowing Lee to use illegal downward elbows, which cut his head.
36.
Albeit having one fight left on his contract, Michael Chiesa signed a new four-fight deal with UFC at the end of August 2017.
37.
Michael Chiesa was expected to face Anthony Pettis on April 7,2018, at UFC 223; however, the bout was canceled after a backstage incident with Conor McGregor on April 5,2018.
38.
McGregor threw a dolly at a UFC bus that Michael Chiesa was traveling on and broke a window.
39.
Michael Chiesa was hit by shards of glass, which opened a cut on his forehead, and needed hospitalization subsequently resulting in the fight's cancellation.
40.
On September 10,2018, Michael Chiesa told the media he has sued McGregor for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
41.
Michael Chiesa sued Barclay's Center for negligence, although he didn't disclose the amounts or further details of either of the cases.
42.
At weight-ins, Michael Chiesa weighed in at 157.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the lightweight limit of 156 pounds.
43.
Shortly after the loss, Michael Chiesa announced going up to welterweight division.
44.
Michael Chiesa faced Carlos Condit on December 29,2018 at UFC 232.
45.
Michael Chiesa won the fight via submission in the second round.
46.
Michael Chiesa faced Diego Sanchez on July 6,2019 at UFC 239.
47.
Michael Chiesa dedicated the win to the memory of Jess Roskelley.
48.
Michael Chiesa faced Rafael dos Anjos on January 25,2020 at UFC Fight Night 166.
49.
Michael Chiesa faced Neil Magny on January 20,2021 at UFC on ESPN 20.
50.
Michael Chiesa won the fight via unanimous decision after controlling Magny on the ground for most of the 5 rounds.
51.
Michael Chiesa faced Vicente Luque on August 7,2021 at UFC 265.
52.
Michael Chiesa lost the fight via a submission in round one.
53.
Michael Chiesa faced Sean Brady on November 20,2021 at UFC Fight Night 198.
54.
Michael Chiesa was scheduled to face Li Jingliang on April 8,2023 at UFC 287.
55.
Michael Chiesa was scheduled to face Kevin Holland on July 29,2023 at UFC 291.
56.
Michael Chiesa was featured in the award-winning mixed martial arts documentary Fight Life.
57.
Since UFC Fight Night: Thompson vs Till on May 27,2018, Michael Chiesa has been regularly acting as a desk analyst at UFC events.