Michael Chiesa called on the UFC to schedule a Fight Night card in the Pacific Northwest and he knows exactly who’d make the perfect dance partner.
Michael Chiesa made light work of fellow veteran Tony Ferguson last night at UFC Abu Dhabi, delivering ‘El Cucuy’ a record-setting eighth consecutive loss in the octagon.
Whilst Ferguson was once known as the ‘king of chaos’ due to his creative striking and BJJ, Chiesa would follow up his first-round submission with a callout ‘Chaos’ himself – Colby ‘Chaos’ Covington.
Michael Chiesa submits Tony Ferguson in the very first round
After a few minor exchanges on the feet, Michael Chiesa did what Michael Chiesa does best; dragging Tony Ferguson to the ground, taking the back with relative ease, and locking in a rear-naked choke.
It’s an enormous win for the ‘Maverick’ as he put a halt to a three-fight losing streak; but in its immediate aftermath, Chiesa opted not to hog the microphone as fans awaited a retirement speech from ‘El Cucuy’.
“It feels really good [to get the win] DC, there’s so much I want to say – it’s been a long road to get back in the win column, but this microphone belongs to Tony Ferguson. Thank you, Abu Dhabi, that’s all I got to say.”
Whilst Chiesa didn’t have the opportunity to call out anyone in his post-fight interview, he did have a name on his mind after the fact – one that fans in a certain part of the United States would be delighted to see come together.
Michael Chiesa calls out Colby Covington for ‘long overdue’ welterweight clash
It didn’t take long for Michael Chiesa to find himself behind the desk once again as he joined Dan Hellie, Anthony Smith and Din Thomas on the ESPN MMA post-show.
It was here that Chiesa called for a clash with former welterweight interim champion and #4 ranked Colby Covington, as well as a Fight Night card to be put together for fans in the Pacific Northwest.
“I mean, I hate to beat a dead horse man, I want the same guy I asked for last time I was here – I want to fight Colby Covington before I retire… I’m 36 years old, we’re in the same age bracket and at this point, I’m not really chasing the title.
“I just don’t really give a c*** about the number next to Colby’s name, you know he may reside in Dade County – I don’t give a s*** where he resides, Dade County, Miami – whatever, you’re from Oregan and I am from Washington.”
In turn, Chiesa laid down a challenge to Covington, “I want to find out who’s the best goddamn welterweight in the Pacific Northwest,” as he also called on the UFC to put together a fight card in either Portland or Seattle.
“I believe that we’re long overdue for a card in Portland or Seattle… There is no better fight to put together than me and Colby Covington; I know it’s a long shot but I ain’t here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.”
The city of Portland has hosted two UFC events before, in 2009 and 2016, and was scheduled to have a Fight Night in 2020 until the global Coronavirus pandemic forced the UFC to cancel the card.
Seattle has hosted three UFC events over the years – however, the promotion has not returned to the city since 2013.
Chiesa then reiterated his view that such a fight between him and Covington isn’t due to title aspirations, but his desire to test himself against the best fighters in the division before he hands up the gloves.
“There’s a lot of swirling retirement talks… I really don’t have to fight; I’m in a good spot financially, I’m in a good spot in life, I’m happily married, I have so many good things going for me I don’t have to compete anymore – I’m here because I want to be here.
“I want to find out who’s the best goddamn welterweight in the Pacific Northwest… There’s a couple of guys who claim to be the king of Miami, we’ll find out who’s the king of the Pacific Northwest.”
Whilst it’s doubtful that Covington would be willing to face the unranked Chiesa, a clash between ‘Chaos’ and ‘Maverick’ would certainly draw in the crowds, should the promotion add the Pacific Northwest to their 2024/25 calendar.
With the win at UFC Abu Dhabi, Michael Chiesa improves his professional record to 17-7.