Chiesa is primarily a submission specialist. His record shows that 11 of his 17 wins have come via submission, particularly utilizing techniques like the rear-naked choke and brabo choke. This indicates that his strength lies in his ability to control opponents on the ground and finish them with submissions. His submission-based approach has earned him multiple Performance of the Night and Submission of the Night awards, highlighting his effectiveness in this area.
His stand-up game is less developed, as evidenced by the fact that he has zero knockout wins and one knockout loss. He tends to rely more on his grappling and ground control rather than striking, which also suggests a tendency to engage in grappling exchanges with his opponents.
Chiesa’s career has been a mix of highs and lows, with some impressive victories that have helped him maintain relevance in a stacked welterweight division. He has shown an ability to evolve as a fighter, particularly in improving his striking, but his main weapon remains his grappling. However, his losses against top-level opponents demonstrate that he may have limitations, particularly when faced with elite striking or grappling threats.
Notable Wins and Losses
Notable Wins:
1. Tony Ferguson (August 2024): Chiesa submitted Ferguson via rear-naked choke, showing that despite being in his late career stage, he is still capable of executing his signature moves at a high level.
2. Neil Magny (January 2021): Chiesa won via unanimous decision after dominating Magny with superior wrestling and control on the ground.
3. Rafael dos Anjos (January 2020): Another key win for Chiesa, where he used wrestling and grappling to secure a unanimous decision victory, further solidifying his credentials in the UFC's welterweight division.
Notable Losses:
1. Kevin Holland (July 2023): Chiesa lost via submission (brabo choke) to Holland, highlighting a potential vulnerability in his grappling defense. This loss also came in a matchup where Chiesa struggled to impose his style.
2. Sean Brady (November 2021): A unanimous decision loss showed that Chiesa was outclassed in a striking and well-rounded contest against a more athletic, dynamic fighter in Brady.
3. Vicente Luque (August 2021): Chiesa faced another setback against Luque, losing by submission (brabo choke) in the first round. The loss shows that despite his grappling pedigree, Chiesa can be vulnerable when up against elite submission specialists.
