Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Michael Chiesa

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Paired with Neil Magny
Chiesa will take on Neil Magny in a welterweight matchup on Jan. 20 in Abu Dhabi, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa has bounced back from a pair of losses with a three-fight winning streak, a streak that corresponded with his move to welterweight. He most recently defeated Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision in January. Magny has also won three straight fights, all by unanimous decision, most recently defeating Robbie Lawler in August. As of early-January, Chiesa finds himself as a slight betting underdog of (+105).
Chiesa has bounced back from a pair of losses with a three-fight winning streak, a streak that corresponded with his move to welterweight. He most recently defeated Rafael dos Anjos by unanimous decision in January. Magny has also won three straight fights, all by unanimous decision, most recently defeating Robbie Lawler in August. As of early-January, Chiesa finds himself as a slight betting underdog of (+105).
Earns defining win at welterweight
Chiesa defeated Rafael dos Anjos via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) in the co-main event of UFC Raleigh on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Seeing Chiesa at 170 pounds makes it difficult to imagine how he was ever able to cut to lightweight, as he had a distinct size advantage against dos Anjos, a former lightweight himself. While dos Anjos landed several hard shots early to the legs and body, Chiesa registered several first-round takedowns to win the round. Dos Anjos won the significant striking battle eight to seven in the second round, though that's where Chiesa registered three of his six total takedowns, making it the closest round of the bout. The third and final round featured Chiesa in control on the mat, where he attempted multiple submissions and ended the fight with a string of body shots. It was Chiesa's third consecutive victory and arguably the biggest of his career, putting him in line for a big-name fight at welterweight, though his size advantage won't be as distinct against the division's elite fighters.
Seeing Chiesa at 170 pounds makes it difficult to imagine how he was ever able to cut to lightweight, as he had a distinct size advantage against dos Anjos, a former lightweight himself. While dos Anjos landed several hard shots early to the legs and body, Chiesa registered several first-round takedowns to win the round. Dos Anjos won the significant striking battle eight to seven in the second round, though that's where Chiesa registered three of his six total takedowns, making it the closest round of the bout. The third and final round featured Chiesa in control on the mat, where he attempted multiple submissions and ended the fight with a string of body shots. It was Chiesa's third consecutive victory and arguably the biggest of his career, putting him in line for a big-name fight at welterweight, though his size advantage won't be as distinct against the division's elite fighters.
Booked against Rafael dos Anjos
Chiesa will take on Rafael dos Anjos in a welterweight matchup at UFC Raleigh on Jan. 25, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa will have a chance to build on the momentum he established in his dominant win over Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision at UFC 239. Dos Anjos is a former UFC Lightweight Champion who carries a record of 29-12 over his MMA career, but he is coming off a loss to Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC San Antonio in July. Chiesa has the chance to cement himself as a legitimate contender in the welterweight division after showing promise in size and skill. Chiesa has height and reach advantages over dos Anjos.
Chiesa will have a chance to build on the momentum he established in his dominant win over Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision at UFC 239. Dos Anjos is a former UFC Lightweight Champion who carries a record of 29-12 over his MMA career, but he is coming off a loss to Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC San Antonio in July. Chiesa has the chance to cement himself as a legitimate contender in the welterweight division after showing promise in size and skill. Chiesa has height and reach advantages over dos Anjos.
Easily decisions Diego Sanchez
Chiesa defeated Diego Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26) at UFC 239 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Total domination. It's rare to ever see a UFC fight in which competitor appears to be on a totally different level than his opponent, but it happened in this one. Over the course of the 15-minute bout, Chiesa landed 125 total strikes, 5-of-6 takedown attempts, and was credited with more than two full rounds (11:05) worth of control time. Chiesa was a massive lightweight, and he's even big for the 170-pound division. He appeared to be about three times Sanchez's size on Saturday. If Chiesa can stay healthy, there's no reason he can't make a run at the top-10 at welterweight. He has the size, skill, and all-around game to compete with the best in the world at 170 pounds.
Total domination. It's rare to ever see a UFC fight in which competitor appears to be on a totally different level than his opponent, but it happened in this one. Over the course of the 15-minute bout, Chiesa landed 125 total strikes, 5-of-6 takedown attempts, and was credited with more than two full rounds (11:05) worth of control time. Chiesa was a massive lightweight, and he's even big for the 170-pound division. He appeared to be about three times Sanchez's size on Saturday. If Chiesa can stay healthy, there's no reason he can't make a run at the top-10 at welterweight. He has the size, skill, and all-around game to compete with the best in the world at 170 pounds.
Facing fellow 'TUF' alum at UFC 239
Chiesa (15-4-0) is scheduled to face Diego Sanchez (29-11-0) in a welterweight fight at UFC 239 in Las Vegas on July 6, Ariel Helwani of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa moved up from the lightweight ranks to make his welterweight debut at UFC 232 in December, when he earned a second-round submission victory over Carlos Condit. He'll stick in the division for his next bout and take on a fellow "The Ultimate Fighter" champion in Sanchez, the series' first winner. Chiesa enters this fight with height and reach advantages, even though both men used to compete in the 155-pound division. While Chiesa is highly regarded for his grappling ability, Sanchez is a BJJ black belt himself, though he typically elects to stand and trade with his opponents. Chiesa will look to use his size advantage to take things to the ground, but Sanchez has plenty of escapability and knows what to do when he's on his back. In terms of betting odds, Chiesa sits as roughly a (-345) favorite over the future hall-of-famer.
Chiesa moved up from the lightweight ranks to make his welterweight debut at UFC 232 in December, when he earned a second-round submission victory over Carlos Condit. He'll stick in the division for his next bout and take on a fellow "The Ultimate Fighter" champion in Sanchez, the series' first winner. Chiesa enters this fight with height and reach advantages, even though both men used to compete in the 155-pound division. While Chiesa is highly regarded for his grappling ability, Sanchez is a BJJ black belt himself, though he typically elects to stand and trade with his opponents. Chiesa will look to use his size advantage to take things to the ground, but Sanchez has plenty of escapability and knows what to do when he's on his back. In terms of betting odds, Chiesa sits as roughly a (-345) favorite over the future hall-of-famer.