Michael Chiesa
Vitals
Height, reach, and career background.
- Age
- 38
- Height
- 6′1″1.85 m
- Reach
- 76″192 cm
- Stance StanceWhich side a fighter leads from — a striking term, not a religious one. Orthodox: right-handed, left foot and hand forward (the common default). Southpaw: the mirror image, right side forward (usually a left-hander). Switch: changes between the two during a fight.
- Southpaw
- Weight class
- Welterweight
- Nationality
- United States
- Team
- Sik-Jitsu · Spokane
- Active
- 2008–2026
Record
Tap expandable fights for their breakdowns.
28 Mar 2026
14 Jun 2025
WinRecord after fight: 18-7-0SUB
Opponent: Max Griffinrear-naked chokeR3 1:56
UFC 310
7 Dec 2024
7 Dec 2024
Chiesa had to work longer against Griffin, but the finish still came once he got the fight to the floor late in round three. Beating a durable welterweight with his trademark choke showed the old grappling edge was still available even after the rough 2021-23 stretch.
Key moments
- Submitted Max Griffin at 1:56 of the third round.
- The finish gave Chiesa back-to-back wins after the Tony Ferguson fight.
- It was his first appearance since the Kevin Holland loss in July 2023.
3 Aug 2024
29 Jul 2023
20 Nov 2021
7 Aug 2021
20 Jan 2021
25 Jan 2020
6 Jul 2019
29 Dec 2018
7 Jul 2018
25 Jun 2017
WinRecord after fight: 12-2-0SUB
Opponent: Beneil Dariushrear-naked chokeR2 1:20
UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans
16 Apr 2016
16 Apr 2016
He weathered a tougher opening stretch, found the grappling swings he needed in round two and became the first man to submit Dariush in pro MMA, which gave real weight to his push toward the top ten.
Key moments
- Chiesa submitted Dariush with a rear-naked choke at 1:20 of round two in Tampa.
- The finish earned him a Performance of the Night bonus at UFC on Fox 19.
- He became the first fighter to submit Dariush in a professional MMA bout.
10 Dec 2015
4 Apr 2015
5 Sep 2014
24 May 2014
6 Nov 2013
27 Jul 2013
23 Feb 2013
1 Jun 2012
1 Oct 2011
WinRecord after fight: 4-0-0SUB
Opponent: Matt Coblerear-naked chokeR1 2:13
Lords of the Cage 6
16 Jul 2011
16 Jul 2011
Coble was another Washington-area test that helped establish Chiesa's identity early: long, scrambly and dangerous once he found the back.
Key moments
- Chiesa submitted Coble with a rear-naked choke at 2:13 of round one.
- The finish came on the LOTC 13: Battle At The Bay card in Manson, Washington.
- It gave Chiesa a fourth straight professional victory, all before he reached The Ultimate Fighter.
28 Apr 2011
26 Mar 2011
20 Oct 2010
The Read
Style, strengths, and defining traits.
Michael Chiesa began training after watching UFC fights in seventh grade. His credentials include a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, six amateur MMA championships in the Pacific Northwest and victory on season 15 of The Ultimate Fighter.