UFC"Maverick"Michael Chiesa Record: 20-7-0
WelterweightRecord20-7-0
Age38
DivisionWelterweight · #21
Combat Edge Elo1758
Last fightMar 28 2026
Michael Chiesa has a 20-7-0 professional record and is 38 years old in the Welterweight division, representing Sikjitsu. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Michael Chiesa bio
Personal background
Michael Chiesa is an American welterweight known throughout his career as "Maverick," a 6'1" grappler with a 20-7 record who built one of the most respected submission games in the division while representing Spokane, Washington, for his entire run. Born on December 7, 1987, Chiesa grew up immersed in wrestling and the grappling arts of the Pacific Northwest, eventually earning a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and making his home at the renowned Sikjitsu gym in Spokane. His path was shaped by family above all: his father, Mark, who introduced him to the sport, died of leukemia during the filming of The Ultimate Fighter in 2012, and Chiesa fought on in his honor — a story that became inseparable from his rise. Long, rangy and relentless on the mat, he turned a wrestling base and a constricting jiu-jitsu game into a 65% finish rate built almost entirely on submissions.
Path to the UFC
Chiesa turned professional in 2010 and quickly stacked up regional submission wins before earning his shot on The Ultimate Fighter Season 15. On the show he submitted his way toward the final, beating Jeremy Larsen by decision and stopping Justin Lawrence and James Vick by TKO in the tournament bracket. Carrying the weight of his father's death, he capped the run at the TUF 15 Finale in June 2012 by submitting Al Iaquinta with a first-round rear-naked choke to become the season's winner and lock in his UFC contract.
Lightweight years
As a UFC lightweight, Chiesa established himself as a dangerous finisher. He submitted Anton Kuivanen in 2013, recovered from a submission loss to Jorge Masvidal, and reeled off wins over Colton Smith and Francisco Trinaldo. After a TKO loss to Joe Lauzon, he answered with arguably his best stretch: a 2015 rear-naked choke of veteran Jim Miller and a 2016 submission of the then-undefeated-in-the-UFC Beneil Dariush. Setbacks to Kevin Lee and Anthony Pettis followed, prompting a move up in weight.
Welterweight resurgence and final run
The jump to welterweight revitalized Chiesa. He opened the chapter by submitting former interim champion Carlos Condit with a kimura in 2018, then outpointed Diego Sanchez, former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, and Neil Magny across a four-fight winning streak. Losses to Vicente Luque, Sean Brady and Kevin Holland tested his standing, but he closed his career on a high note — a first-round rear-naked choke of Tony Ferguson in 2024, a submission of Max Griffin, a decision over Court McGee, and a 2026 rear-naked choke of Niko Price.
Fighting style
Chiesa is a quintessential submission grappler. With 13 of his 20 wins coming by submission — and none by knockout — he leans on length, scrambling and chain-grappling to drag fights to the floor, where his rear-naked choke is among the most reliable in the division. His wrestling and top control set up a high-percentage back take, and his durability let him grind through five-round fights. The honest caveats are clear in his record: he absorbed several submission losses himself when caught on the wrong end of grappling exchanges, and as a non-knockout fighter he had to win the positional battle to win the fight.
Career highlights
- The Ultimate Fighter Season 15 winner — submitted Al Iaquinta in the finale just days after his father's death to claim his UFC contract.
- Welterweight resurgence — rebuilt his career with a four-fight win streak that included a kimura finish of former interim champion Carlos Condit and a decision over Rafael dos Anjos.
- Elite submission finisher — 13 of his 20 career wins came by submission, anchored by one of the most dependable rear-naked chokes in the UFC.
Career snapshot
Michael Chiesa career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1758Great ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#121
Welterweight#21of 200 active
Peak1758
Last move+10
Opponent quality1710avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1758 Elo after defeating Niko Price (2026-03-28)
Similar Elo in Welterweight
Michael Chiesa quick answers
What is Michael Chiesa's record?
Michael Chiesa's professional MMA record is 20-7-0.
How old is Michael Chiesa?
Michael Chiesa is 38 years old.
What weight class is Michael Chiesa?
Michael Chiesa fights at Welterweight in UFC.
How tall is Michael Chiesa?
Michael Chiesa is 6'1" tall with a 75" reach.
How much does Michael Chiesa weigh?
Michael Chiesa competes at Welterweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 170 lbs.
What is Michael Chiesa's Combat Edge Elo?
Michael Chiesa's Combat Edge Elo is 1758, with a peak Elo of 1758.
How strong is Michael Chiesa's recent opposition?
Michael Chiesa's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1710 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Michael Chiesa's last fight?
Michael Chiesa's latest tracked pro fight was against Niko Price at UFC Fight Night on Mar 28 2026.
What is Michael Chiesa's recent form?
Michael Chiesa's recent tracked pro form is W-W-W-W-L over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Michael Chiesa usually win?
Michael Chiesa's 20 recorded wins include 0 knockouts, 13 submissions, and 7 decisions, with 65% ending before the final bell.
0Wins by knockout
13Wins by submission
7Wins by decision
1Loss by knockout
5Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Michael Chiesa stats
Record : 20 / 7 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
2.03Fighter2.98Division average
Significant striking accuracy
41%Fighter44%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
1.73Fighter3.83Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
58%Fighter52%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
3.05Fighter1.38Division average
Takedown accuracy
48%Fighter37%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
68%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.97Fighter0.63Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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