Michael Chiesa
Maverick
USA
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Chiesa defeated Niko Price via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:03 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Seattle.
ANALYSIS
Competing in his native Washington, Chiesa announced long ago this would be a retirement bout. His originally scheduled opponent, Carlston Harris, withdrew a little over a week ago, and Price agreed to step in. Chiesa predictably ended up having zero issues as a -900 favorite. It's fitting that Mike, who made a career racking up submission wins, did so in dominant fashion in his final fight. The 38-year-old deserves a ton of credit for willingly stepping aside in the middle of a four-fight winning streak. Names Chiesa defeated during the course of his UFC run include Tony Ferguson, Neil Magny, Rafael dos Anjos, Diego Sanchez, Jim Miller, Carlos Condit and Beneil Dariush. It was a terrific career for a guy who somehow never managed even a single knockout victory.
Competing in his native Washington, Chiesa announced long ago this would be a retirement bout. His originally scheduled opponent, Carlston Harris, withdrew a little over a week ago, and Price agreed to step in. Chiesa predictably ended up having zero issues as a -900 favorite. It's fitting that Mike, who made a career racking up submission wins, did so in dominant fashion in his final fight. The 38-year-old deserves a ton of credit for willingly stepping aside in the middle of a four-fight winning streak. Names Chiesa defeated during the course of his UFC run include Tony Ferguson, Neil Magny, Rafael dos Anjos, Diego Sanchez, Jim Miller, Carlos Condit and Beneil Dariush. It was a terrific career for a guy who somehow never managed even a single knockout victory.
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New opponent announced
Chiesa will now fight Niko Price in a welterweight matchup at UFC Seattle on March 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa was thought to be near the end of the line in 2023, but the UFC has been careful with who it has matched the veteran up against, and Chiesa has paid the company back with three straight victories. While he loses his original opponent for this card, Chiesa still has a great chance to go out on top against Price, who is 1-5 in his past five fights. Chiesa will undoubtedly look to exploit the poor, 50-percent takedown defense of Price, so he can get this to the mat where he feels most at home.
Chiesa was thought to be near the end of the line in 2023, but the UFC has been careful with who it has matched the veteran up against, and Chiesa has paid the company back with three straight victories. While he loses his original opponent for this card, Chiesa still has a great chance to go out on top against Price, who is 1-5 in his past five fights. Chiesa will undoubtedly look to exploit the poor, 50-percent takedown defense of Price, so he can get this to the mat where he feels most at home.
Will get new opponent
Chiesa will get a new fighter after Carlston Harris was ruled out of UFC Seattle on Mar. 28, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa's retirement fight was scheduled to be with Carlston Harris, but has since been ruled out after reported issues with his visa. More news should surface in the coming days regarding who the new challenger will be.
Chiesa's retirement fight was scheduled to be with Carlston Harris, but has since been ruled out after reported issues with his visa. More news should surface in the coming days regarding who the new challenger will be.
Fighting Harris in Seattle
Chiesa will fight Carlston Harris at UFC Seattle on March 28, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
A win over Court McGee in June marked three in a row for Chiesa, and he'll now look to keep things rolling against Harris, who has dropped back-to-back fights.
A win over Court McGee in June marked three in a row for Chiesa, and he'll now look to keep things rolling against Harris, who has dropped back-to-back fights.
Wins battle of grizzled veterans
Chiesa defeated Court McGee via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Atlanta.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa struggles in anything other than a grinding mat battle at this stage of his career, but he managed to get his striking going a bit against a 40-year-old opponent in McGee. In fact, Chiesa's 72 significant strikes landed this evening were his most in 21 UFC bouts. None of them damaged Court in the least, but given the fact he absorbed no damage at all, Mike was able to win an easy decision. Set to turn 38 years of age in December, Chiesa has won three in a row dating back to August 2024. That said, it's mostly smoke and mirrors. The winning ways aren't going to continue unless the company continues to remain cautious regarding the level of competition it matches him up against moving forward.
Chiesa struggles in anything other than a grinding mat battle at this stage of his career, but he managed to get his striking going a bit against a 40-year-old opponent in McGee. In fact, Chiesa's 72 significant strikes landed this evening were his most in 21 UFC bouts. None of them damaged Court in the least, but given the fact he absorbed no damage at all, Mike was able to win an easy decision. Set to turn 38 years of age in December, Chiesa has won three in a row dating back to August 2024. That said, it's mostly smoke and mirrors. The winning ways aren't going to continue unless the company continues to remain cautious regarding the level of competition it matches him up against moving forward.
Next opponent scheduled
Chiesa will fight Court McGee in a welterweight fight at UFC Atlanta on June 14, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa is coming off a victory over Max Griffin via submission back during UFC 10 in Las Vegas. Maverick will now face a new opponent in Court McGee, who is also coming off victory. Michael will look to improve on his 20-7-0 record .
Chiesa is coming off a victory over Max Griffin via submission back during UFC 10 in Las Vegas. Maverick will now face a new opponent in Court McGee, who is also coming off victory. Michael will look to improve on his 20-7-0 record .