The fighter who survived a broken bus window and a legal battle with McGregor
In short: Michael Chiesa’s professional MMA career was defined by more than just technical skill. From escaping a traumatic childhood to surviving a chaotic bus attack involving Conor McGregor, his journey through the UFC was a series of high-stakes confrontations both inside and outside the octagon.
Born in 1987, Chiesa’s path to professional fighting was forged through significant personal hardship. After moving away from an abusive biological mother just days before his sixteenth birthday, he transitioned from skateboarding to wrestling, eventually dropping out of Spokane Falls Community 3 days into his college career to pursue mixed martial arts. This resilience paved the way for his victory in the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter: Live, where he defeated Johnavan Vistante and Al Iaquinta to become the season's first champion.
His career is famously marked by the infamous UFC 223 incident on April 5, 2018. During a bus trip, Conor McGregor threw a dolly through a window, causing glass shards to cut Chiesa's forehead and resulting in his hospitalization. The incident led to the cancellation of his scheduled fight against Anthony Pettis and sparked a legal battle. Legal action was taken by Chiesa against McGregor for battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, alongside a negligence claim against Barclay's Center. The legal disputes were eventually settled in early 2022.
Beyond the headlines, Chiesa was a prolific finisher in the UFC's lightweight and welterweight divisions. His record includes notable wins via rear-naked choke over opponents like Tony Ferguson and Max Griffin, the latter occurring on his birthday, December 7, 2024. After a career spanning from 2008 to 2026, he retired following a first-round submission victory over Niko Price at UFC Fight Night 271, a bout originally intended to be against Carlston Harris.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Michael Chiesa
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