Welterweight#16 RankedACTIVE
Michael Chiesa
19-7
3 Win Streak
Age
37
Height
6'1"
Weight
171 lbs
Reach
75.5"
Avg Fight Time
09:36
Gym
Sik-Jitsu Spokane, WA
UFC Record
14-7(21 bouts)
Wins By
0 KO 8 Sub 6 Dec
Losses By
1 KO 5 Sub 1 Dec
Wins by Rd
R1 2R2 5R3 6R5 1
Last 5
WWLWW
Finish Rate
63%
Bonuses
5
Style
Wrestling
Location
Aurora, United States
Next Fight2026-03-28
CH
vs Carlston Harris
Opponent Last Bout
L - Santiago PonzinibbioKO/TKOR3 3:13· Punches to Head At Distance
Fight History
WIN
JM
vs Jim Miller
UFC Fight Night: Namajunas vs. VanZant· 2025-09-27
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R2 2:57
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R2 2:57
WIN
TF
vs Tony Ferguson
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov· 2025-09-27
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R1 3:44
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R1 3:44
LOSS
SB
vs Sean Brady
UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate· 2025-09-27
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
NM
vs Neil Magny
UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Magny· 2025-09-27
Decision - Unanimous
R5 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R5 5:00
WIN
RD
vs Rafael Dos Anjos
UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Dos Santos· 2025-09-27
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
MC
vs Mitch Clarke
UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs Lamas· 2025-09-27
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
LOSS
JL
vs Joe Lauzon
UFC Fight Night: Jacare vs Mousasi· 2025-09-27
TKO - Doctor's Stoppage
Facial Cut
R2 2:14
TKO - Doctor's StoppageFacial Cut·R2 2:14
WIN
CS
vs Colton Smith
UFC Fight Night: Fight for the Troops 3· 2025-09-27
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R2 1:41
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R2 1:41
WIN
CM
vs Court McGee
UFC Fight Night: Usman vs. Buckley· 2025-09-27
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
LOSS
KL
vs Kevin Lee
UFC Fight Night: Chiesa vs. Lee· 2025-09-27
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R1 4:37
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R1 4:37
WIN
MG
vs Max Griffin
UFC 310: Pantoja vs. Asakura· 2024-12-07
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R3 1:56
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R3 1:56
LOSS
KH
vs Kevin Holland
UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2· 2023-07-29
Submission
D'Arce Choke On Ground
R1 2:39
SubmissionD'Arce Choke On Ground·R1 2:39
LOSS
VL
vs Vicente Luque
UFC 265: Lewis vs. Gane· 2021-08-07
Submission
D'Arce Choke On Ground
R1 3:25
SubmissionD'Arce Choke On Ground·R1 3:25
WIN
DS
vs Diego Sanchez
UFC 239: Jones vs. Santos· 2019-07-06
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
CC
vs Carlos Condit
UFC 232: Jones vs. Gustafsson 2· 2018-12-29
Submission
Kimura From Half Guard
R2 0:56
SubmissionKimura From Half Guard·R2 0:56
LOSS
AP
vs Anthony Pettis
UFC 226: Miocic vs. Cormier· 2018-07-07
Submission
Triangle Choke From Bottom Guard
R2 0:52
SubmissionTriangle Choke From Bottom Guard·R2 0:52
WIN
FT
vs Francisco Trinaldo
UFC 173: Barao vs Dillashaw· 2014-05-24
Decision - Unanimous
R3 5:00
Decision - Unanimous·R3 5:00
WIN
AK
vs Anton Kuivanen
UFC 157: Rousey vs Carmouche· 2013-02-23
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R2 2:29
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R2 2:29
WIN
BD
vs Beneil Dariush
UFC on FOX: Teixeira vs Evans
Submission
Rear Naked Choke
R2 1:20
SubmissionRear Naked Choke·R2 1:20
LOSS
JM
vs Jorge Masvidal
UFC on FOX: Johnson vs Moraga
Submission
D'Arce Choke On Ground
R2 4:59
SubmissionD'Arce Choke On Ground·R2 4:59
WIN
AI
vs Al Iaquinta
The Ultimate Fighter: Live Finale
Submission
Rear Naked Choke Technical Submission
R1 2:47
SubmissionRear Naked Choke Technical Submission·R1 2:47
Fighter Archetype
Well-Rounded
Balanced MMA
Why This Archetype
This fighter displays a unique approach that transcends traditional archetypes.
Striking
2.0/min
Grappling
3.05 TD
Defense
58%
⚖️Michael adapts strategy based on opponent — no predictable tendencies
📊Balanced approach can be difficult to game-plan against
Technique DNA
Striking Foundation
20 rounds of fight film analyzed
🎯
Signature Technique
Knees
Core of offensive identity
Dominant Level+64% vs div avg
65%
Of striking volume
Mastery Progress
Primary Arsenal
High Importance
Jabs
60%of arsenal
0%100%
Medium Importance
Triangles
55%of arsenal
0%100%
Supporting Techniques
🦵Leg Strike
Leg Kicks
40%
🤼Clinch
Elbows
30%
⭐Other
Counters
30%
Common Combinations
Distance → Clinch
3× detected
Clinch → Takedown
3× detected
Patterns detected from round-by-round fight data
Striking Pattern Analysis
- ◆Signature technique: Heavy reliance on Knees (65%). Opponents must prepare specifically for this threat.
- ▲Technical diversity: Multiple techniques used at similar rates - adapts based on situations.
- ●Comprehensive striker: Uses head strikes, leg kicks, and varied attacks across distance.
- ■Two-pillar system: Top 2 techniques account for majority (125%) of offensive output.
- ◇Focused arsenal: Top 5 techniques comprise 250% of offense - limited but refined.
- ▶Mixed martial artist: Uses both takedown techniques and submissions in the striking phase.
- ★Adaptive tempo: Switches between pressure and counter-fighting mid-round.
Finish Techniques
Striking Finishes
0
0% of career finishes
Submission Finishes
8
100% of career finishes
🔒 Submission Arsenal (3 techniques, 8 total finishes)
From Back Control
Rear Naked Choke
#16
75% of subs
Rear Naked Choke
Technical Submission
#31
13% of subs
Other
Kimura From Half Guard
#21
13% of subs
Finish Pattern Analysis
- ⚡🔒 Submission specialist: 100% of career finishes via submission. Elite grappling with dangerous ground finishing.
- 🎯🔒 Submission arsenal: 3 different submission techniques. Led by Rear Naked Choke (6x). Versatile ground finisher.
Fighter Skills Radar
Key Insights
🤼
Grappling master: Controls through wrestling and submissions. Prefers mat exchanges.💪
Peak strengths: TD/15min (3.0) and Strike Def% (58%).⚠️
Vulnerability: Strikes/Min is below average (24/100). Opponents exploit this.🛡️
Defensive stance: Strong defense (58%) limits opponent output. Conservative approach.📈
Pace builder: Output increases in later rounds (124% in R3). Outworks opponents.Striking Profile
Striking Accuracy
41%
Below Avg
Division Rank#47 of 54
0%100%
Striking Defense
58%
Above Avg
Division Rank#12 of 54
0%100%
Range Breakdown
Distance
34% acc61%
Clinch
61% acc16%
Ground
64% acc23%
Striking Differential+0.30/min
2.03 landed/min1.73 absorbed/min
2.03
Landed/Min
1.73
Absorbed/Min
0.07
KD Avg
0
1st Rd Finishes
Sig. Strikes Landed409
Sig. Strikes Attempted1005
Key Insights
Primarily a headhunter with 73% targeting the head.
Utilizes an effective jab.
Effective ground striker: 23% from ground at 64% accuracy.
Iron chin: exceptional durability under fire.
Grappling Profile
TD Accuracy
48%
Average
Division Rank#15 of 54
0%100%
TD Defense
68%
Elite
Division Rank#26 of 54
0%100%
TD Success Rate
20%
Landed
17
Defended
69
Total
86
3.05
TD / 15min
0.97
Sub / 15min
17
TD Landed
86
TD Attempted
Extended Grappling
Clinch Takedowns
82
Landed
172
Attempted
48%
Accuracy
Submission Timing
13 total attempts
Opportunistic
R1
39%
R2
54%
R3
8%
Key Insights
Aggressive wrestler averaging 3.05 TD/15min.
Solid TD defense at 68%.
12 career submission wins.
Prolific submission hunter: 13 career attempts.
Submission timing: "Opportunistic" — consistent threat.
Ground active: 23% of output from ground position.
Offensive vs Defensive Balance
Damage Exchange
Offensive dominance vs damage absorbed per fight
Dealt
810
1.62
Ratio
Absorbed
500
Chin Rating
IronKD Exchange
2/0
KD Recovery
Never Dropped
Pace & Momentum
Fight pacing and round-over-round performance trends
Engagement Score
31.3
Moderate
Strikes/Min
3.7
Standing %
66%
R3 vs R1 Output
124%
Key Insights
📊 Favorable damage ratio (1.62x) - consistent striking dominance.
🥊 Iron chin - rarely compromised by strikes.
🎯 Effective knockdown technician - deals significantly more than absorbs.
⚙️ High engagement score (31.3) - maintains relentless pace.
📈 Improves dramatically in late rounds - R3 output 124% of R1.
Round-by-Round Profile
Career average across 21 fights
R1 Control
1:26
R2 Control
1:40
R3 Control
2:07
R1 to Final
+34%
In-Fight Adaptation
Detected across career, comparing R1 vs R3+ patterns
Adapts targeting and range based on opponent and fatigue.
Target Selection Evolution
Head
-5.8pp
Body
+14.5pp
Leg
-8.7pp
Range Preference Evolution
Ground Shift
-8.4pp
Round Patterns
⬇️ Stronger in early rounds – starts fast
Championship Rounds
Based on 1 five-round fight
Rounds 1-3 Avg
8.9
sig strikes / round
Rounds 4-5 Avg
4.0
sig strikes / round
Output Change
45%
R4-5 vs R1-3
Fades Significantly
Competitive Profile
Division Rankings
Performance metrics ranked within division
Volume
#53
of 54
📉 Below Average
Absorption
#3
of 54
🥇 Top 25%
Accuracy
#47
of 54
📉 Below Average
Str Defense
#12
of 54
🥇 Top 25%
Knockdowns
#42
of 54
📉 Below Average
Takedowns
#9
of 54
🥇 Top 25%
Submissions
#8
of 54
🥇 Top 25%
Damage Ratio
#29
of 54
🥉 Mid-range
Strength of Schedule
Opponent quality and career progression
Avg Opponent ELO
2940
EliteCareer-wide opponent strength
Elite Wins (ELO 3000+)
2
/ 4
50% Win Rate
Conclusions Summary
Fighter characteristics, strengths, patterns, and competitive insights