Michael Chiesa

Michael Keith Chiesa (/ˌkiˈɛsə/; born December 7, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist. A professional MMA competitor since 2008, Chiesa was the winner of FX's inaugural The Ultimate Fighter: Live. He currently fights for the UFC in the lightweight division where he is the #8 contender in official UFC rankings.

Chiesa began his professional mixed martial arts career in 2008. He 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.

The Ultimate Fighter

Chiesa was one of 32 lightweight fighters announced by the UFC to participate in first live season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show.

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. He was chosen as the fifth pick for Team Faber. Chiesa's terminally ill father died shortly after his son's victory.

After teammate Al Iaquinta picked up the first win for Team Faber, his coach decided that Chiesa would fight Jeremy Larsen next. Chiesa would go on to defeat Larsen by unanimous decision after two rounds.

For his quarter-final fight, Chiesa was matched up with the highly favored prospect, Justin Lawrence. After a hard fought two rounds, the judges declared a draw and the fight went to a third, "sudden-victory" round. Early in the third round, 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.

Chiesa was selected to fight Team Cruz fighter, James Vick, in the semi-final round. Chiesa won the fight via KO in the second round. He moved on to the finals against Team Faber teammate Al Iaquinta.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Chiesa officially made his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 15 Finale on June 1, 2012 against fellow Team Faber teammate Al Iaquinta. 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.

Chiesa was expected to face Rafaello Oliveira on December 8, 2012 at UFC on Fox 5. However, Oliveira was forced out of the bout with a broken hand and replaced by Marcus LeVesseur. Then, the week of the event, Chiesa was forced out of the bout with LeVesseur with the shingles and the bout was scrapped altogether.

Chiesa next fought Anton Kuivanen on February 23, 2013 at UFC 157. Chiesa submitted Kuivanen with a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Chiesa was expected to face Reza Madadi on July 27, 2013 at UFC on Fox 8. However, on May 14, 2013, it was announced Madadi was pulled from the bout due to visa issues. Chiesa instead faced Jorge Masvidal. Chiesa was stopped by Masvidal in the second round due to a submission, resulting in the first defeat in his professional career.

Chiesa next faced Ultimate Fighter winner Colton Smith on November 6, 2013 at UFC Fight Night 31. He won the fight via submission in the second round. The win also earned Chiesa his second Submission of the Night bonus award.

Chiesa faced Francisco Trinaldo at UFC 173 on May 24, 2014. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Chiesa faced Joe Lauzon on September 5, 2014 at UFC Fight Night 50. After a back and forth fight, Lauzon defeated Chiesa via TKO in the second round after opening a significant cut above Chiesa's right eye, forcing a doctor's stoppage. The performance earned both participants Fight of the Night honors.

Chiesa faced Mitch Clarke on April 4, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 63. He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Chiesa faced Jim Miller on December 10, 2015 at UFC Fight Night 80. He won the fight via submission in the second round. The bout also earned Chiesa his second Fight of the Night bonus award.

Chiesa faced Beneil Dariush on April 16, 2016 at UFC on Fox 19. He won the bout via submission in the second round and was also awarded a Performance of the Night bonus.

Chiesa was expected to face Tony Ferguson on July 13, 2016 at UFC Fight Night 91. However, Chiesa pulled out of the fight on June 27 citing a back injury and was replaced by promotional newcomer Lando Vannata.

Chiesa was featured in the award-winning mixed martial arts documentary Fight Life, the film is directed by James Z. Feng and released in 2013.

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • The Ultimate Fighter: Live Tournament winner
  • Fight of the Night (Two times)
  • Submission of the Night (Two times)
  • Performance of the Night (One time)
• Lords of the Cage
  • LOTC Lightweight Championship (One time)

• "Archived copy". Archived from the original on December 19, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2013. 

Mixed martial arts exhibition record