As Michael Chiesa prepares for his final UFC fight, he reflects on his career regrets. At UFC Seattle, taking place on Saturday night at the Climate Pledge Arena, Chiesa aims to conclude his journey on a positive note.
Career Regret Ahead of Final UFC Bout
Chiesa’s significant regret stems from an incident during UFC 223 in April 2018. He was originally slated to fight Anthony Pettis, but the event quickly spiraled into chaos.
The Eventful Week of UFC 223
- Original Title Fight: Max Holloway was scheduled to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov.
- Last-Minute Changes: Holloway withdrew, prompting the UFC to seek alternative fighters.
- Missed Opportunity: Chiesa indicates he could have fought Nurmagomedov but made a fateful seating change.
Chiesa revealed that swapping seats with Calvin Kattar cost him a potential title shot. “If there’s one thing I could change, I wish I would have given Calvin Kattar that front seat because I would have fought Khabib,” he stated. The UFC eventually matched Nurmagomedov with Al Iaquinta, who lost the fight by unanimous decision. Nurmagomedov would go on to defend his title multiple times before retiring undefeated.
Preparing for Retirement Bout
Chiesa was set to fight a different opponent at UFC Seattle, but visa issues led to changes. Niko Price stepped in as a late replacement, allowing Chiesa to fight in his hometown. Chiesa expressed mixed feelings about announcing his final fight, citing a personal “Seattle curse.”
Significance of the Final Fight
The upcoming fight has added importance for Chiesa, especially as fellow UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney also competes on the card. Chiesa acknowledges the weight of this match as he concludes his career. With a professional record of 19 wins and 7 losses, Chiesa has been a consistent contender in the welterweight division.
This fight marks the end of an era for the “Maverick,” a name that became known since his time on The Ultimate Fighter. As the final bout approaches, fans and supporters anticipate a fitting farewell for Chiesa.
