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To make welterweight debut at UFC 232
Chiesa will take on Carlos Condit in a welterweight matchup at UFC 232 on Dec. 29 in Las Vegas, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
It's a perfect opponent for Chiesa as far as a welterweight debut goes, as the two measure up nearly identically, and Condit is currently riding a four-fight losing streak dating back to his title fight loss to Robbie Lawler in January of 2016. Chiesa is coming off back-to-back losses of his own, but should be a much fresher fighter in the Octagon without having to go through an extreme weight cut that he has detailed in the past. Condit boasts the better striking numbers of the two men, so look for Chiesa to use his wrestling and grappling to get the edge. Chiesa's last two victories have both been via submission, and Condit has historically struggled with letting the fight go to the mat, sporting just a career 37 percent takedown defense. Chiesa will not longer have the size advantage he was accustomed to in the lightweight division, so it remains to be see if he can still execute takedowns with consistency.
It's a perfect opponent for Chiesa as far as a welterweight debut goes, as the two measure up nearly identically, and Condit is currently riding a four-fight losing streak dating back to his title fight loss to Robbie Lawler in January of 2016. Chiesa is coming off back-to-back losses of his own, but should be a much fresher fighter in the Octagon without having to go through an extreme weight cut that he has detailed in the past. Condit boasts the better striking numbers of the two men, so look for Chiesa to use his wrestling and grappling to get the edge. Chiesa's last two victories have both been via submission, and Condit has historically struggled with letting the fight go to the mat, sporting just a career 37 percent takedown defense. Chiesa will not longer have the size advantage he was accustomed to in the lightweight division, so it remains to be see if he can still execute takedowns with consistency.
Announces move to welterweight
Chiesa will officially move to the welterweight division and his hopeful to debut in December, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
This was all but a given following Chiesa's last fight -- a loss to Anthony Pettis where he missed weight and hinted afterwards that the cut to 155 was simply too much. Chiesa's management team would like to debut at 170 pounds against Carlos Condit, though Condit's team doesn't quite seem to be on board with that plan. While the 6-foot-1 Chiesa would certainly benefit from an easier weight cut, welterweight is arguably the deepest and most talent-heavy division in the entire roster.
This was all but a given following Chiesa's last fight -- a loss to Anthony Pettis where he missed weight and hinted afterwards that the cut to 155 was simply too much. Chiesa's management team would like to debut at 170 pounds against Carlos Condit, though Condit's team doesn't quite seem to be on board with that plan. While the 6-foot-1 Chiesa would certainly benefit from an easier weight cut, welterweight is arguably the deepest and most talent-heavy division in the entire roster.
Ticketed for welterweight after losing to Anthony Pettis Saturday
Chiesa lost to Anthony Pettis via submission (triangle armbar) at 0:52 of Round 2 at UFC 226 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was a terrible 48 hours for Chiesa. After missing weight on Friday and being forced to forfeit 30 percent of his fight purse to Pettis in order for the bout to continue, Chiesa was then saddled with his second loss in a row. Maverick dragged Pettis to the mat on multiple occasions in Round 1, but his striking defense disappeared in Round 2 and Chiesa allowed Pettis to land with regularity before clamping on the submission that ended the contest. Chiesa already stated that this would be his last fight at lightweight as the weight cut to 155 pounds is simply too hard on his 6-foot-1 frame. Chiesa's next fight, whenever that may be, will be at welterweight.
It was a terrible 48 hours for Chiesa. After missing weight on Friday and being forced to forfeit 30 percent of his fight purse to Pettis in order for the bout to continue, Chiesa was then saddled with his second loss in a row. Maverick dragged Pettis to the mat on multiple occasions in Round 1, but his striking defense disappeared in Round 2 and Chiesa allowed Pettis to land with regularity before clamping on the submission that ended the contest. Chiesa already stated that this would be his last fight at lightweight as the weight cut to 155 pounds is simply too hard on his 6-foot-1 frame. Chiesa's next fight, whenever that may be, will be at welterweight.
Fight with Pettis still on at UFC 226
Chiesa, despite missing weight, will still take on Anthony Pettis at UFC 226 on Saturday, Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa will have to forfeit 30 percent of his fight purse, but will still get the opportunity to compete on one of the promotion's grandest stages. After Saturday, he intends to move up to welterweight (170 pounds), where he'll have an extra 15 pounds of leeway and making weight should no longer be an issue. In the meantime, he enters Saturday's matchup as a (-150) betting favorite over Pettis. Fighters to miss weight and still compete have an overwhelmingly positive record so far in 2018.
Chiesa will have to forfeit 30 percent of his fight purse, but will still get the opportunity to compete on one of the promotion's grandest stages. After Saturday, he intends to move up to welterweight (170 pounds), where he'll have an extra 15 pounds of leeway and making weight should no longer be an issue. In the meantime, he enters Saturday's matchup as a (-150) betting favorite over Pettis. Fighters to miss weight and still compete have an overwhelmingly positive record so far in 2018.
Misses weight for UFC 226 fight
Chiesa weighed in at 157.5 for his UFC 226 matchup against Anthony Pettis, 1.5 pounds over the lightweight limit for a non-title fight, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Chiesa will not weigh in a second time, making 157.5 his official weight for the event. The ball is now in the court of Pettis, who also has yet to weigh in as of 12:50 ET. He and his management team must decide whether to accept the fight against a heavy opponent, as well as the portion of his fight purse that comes along with it. Regardless of that outcome, Chiesa announced afterwards that this would be his last fight at 155 pounds. He's the promotion's No. 9-ranked lightweight, but would certainly be at a size disadvantage against most welterweight opponents.
Chiesa will not weigh in a second time, making 157.5 his official weight for the event. The ball is now in the court of Pettis, who also has yet to weigh in as of 12:50 ET. He and his management team must decide whether to accept the fight against a heavy opponent, as well as the portion of his fight purse that comes along with it. Regardless of that outcome, Chiesa announced afterwards that this would be his last fight at 155 pounds. He's the promotion's No. 9-ranked lightweight, but would certainly be at a size disadvantage against most welterweight opponents.