A biography for Michael Chiesahasn’t been written yet.
“Looking back in hindsight, I really stunted my growth as a fighter by constantly cutting weight all the time.”
“I won my fight on 'The Ultimate Fighter,' my dad died the next day and I stayed in the game and won the whole thing.”
“I'm just looking forward to a great fight and just to keep making my dad proud.”
“I want to be great, I want to fight the best guys, I want to test myself, I want see what my limits are. I don't think a lot of guys in this sport really have that mentality.”
“I found wrestling when I was 11 years old. About two years later, I convinced my mom to let me rent my first UFC tape. I was fascinated by the sport.”
“The loss of my dad gave me a lot of inspiration because sometimes I stop and think, 'Would everybody have done the same thing that I did?' It was a very tough thing to cope with. I only went home for less than 24 hours.”
“I was the second guy to submit Jim Miller, so I'm up there in catching guys that have been deemed uncatchable.”
“Fighting at welterweight, I'm much more active in the gym.”
“Anytime my life has ever thrown me a curveball, I can go back to that and draw a lot of confidence for myself knowing I can persevere.”
“I feel blessed that I have a tough opponent in Justin Lawrence.”
“Perseverance doesn't always mean winning and losing. Perseverance means showing up and rising to the occasion and performing.”
“I really enjoy the opportunity to face another Ultimate Fighter winner because it doesn't come around that often.”
“Anytime I've won a fight and asked for an opponent, I've usually gotten it, and that's because it's all well thought-out.”
“I've always prided myself on being mentally tough, but just because you're mentally tough doesn't mean that what's going on between your ears is always good things.”
“Whenever I get matched up with a guy, I always look at who beat him and I've got to be better than those guys.”
“I'm not afraid to grapple with anybody in the lightweight division.”
“Usually I'm a very instinctive fighter.”
“I will be the UFC lightweight champion. Mark my words.”
“There was once a time when I was the hip necklace wearing guy.”
“I at least have to cut my hair. I can't do the whole man bun, funky long hair thing anymore.”