Michael Chiesa is going out on top.
The 22-fight UFC veteran called it a career Saturday in his home state of Washington at UFC Seattle where he earned a quick submission over Niko Price on the main card. This welterweight bout had long been billed as Chiesa’s swan song and he didn’t disappoint, needing just 63 seconds to earn a tap via rear-naked choke.
Watch the emotional finish below.
As he has so many times in his career, Chiesa aggressively pursued a takedown to start the fight. Though Price put up some resistance, it wasn’t long before Chiesa took his back and moved into position for the fight-ending choke.
Afterwards, he had his moment on the microphone with commentator and former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier.
“It’s hard to encapsulate my feelings into just any type of words,” Chiesa said. “To be retiring, having my role model, someone I looked up to growing up, in Daniel Cormier, doing my last interview in my home state of Washington. I love you guys so much, you have no idea.
“I’m a kid that came from nothing. All I did was just work hard, dream big, and never give up on myself, and just relied on the people that support me. There’s a lot of people in the stands here that support me. I love you guys so much, you have no idea. I love you guys with every ounce of my being.”
Chiesa began his UFC career in the lightweight division after winning a tournament on the 15th season of The Ultimate Fighter. Though he scored several notable wins at 155 pounds, including submissions of Beneil Dariush, Jim Miller, and Al Iaquinta, it was at 170 where he would hit his stride. No longer burdened by a difficult weight cut, Chiesa fought his way to the fringe of contention with wins over the likes of Rafael dos Anjos, Neil Magny, and Tony Ferguson, while establishing himself as an all-action fighter as well as a valuable analyst on the UFC broadcast team.
The 38-year-old retires with a 15-7 UFC record and a 20-7 overall pro record. “Maverick” won his last four fights for the promotion.
Watch more scenes from Chiesa’s final post-fight celebration below.
On a more somber note, Price (16-11, 2 NC) also retired after compiling a 8-11 (2 NC) record inside the octagon.
