ATLANTA – Michael Chiesa hopes to secure another rear-naked choke submission at UFC on ESPN 69.
Chiesa (18-7 MMA, 13-7 UFC) meets fellow “Ultimate Fighter” winner Court McGee (22-13 MMA, 11-12 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 69 (ESPN, ESPN+) prelims at State Farm Arena.
Chiesa is a big favorite over McGee but thinks the odds aren’t an accurate reflection of the matchup.
“I welcomed the matchup. I think it’s more challenging of a matchup than the oddsmakers have it pegged as,” Chiesa told MMA Junkie and other reporters during Wednesday’s media day. “I think Court is going to challenge me in the wrestling and the grappling and bring that type of pressure. I’m very well prepared for a 15-minute fight, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to look for my opportunities to pursue a finish.
“His body of work is impressive. He’s been around for a very, very long time. I’ve got a tremendous amount of respect for the guy. Obviously him winning ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ is a part of that and everything he’s overcame in his life, and it’s nice laying it all on the line against guys that you have a lot of respect for. So, I’m excited for the matchup and look to just keep the ball rolling and stay more active, and it all starts with Saturday night.”
Chiesa has seven rear-naked choke submissions in the UFC, tied for second with Kenny Florian. He plans on someday surpassing Demian Maia’s record of nine, but it won’t be easy considering McGee has never been submitted.
The 37-year-old is coming off back-to-back rear-naked choke finishes of Tony Ferguson, and most recently Max Griffin at UFC 310.
“I’d like to beat Demian Maia’s rear-naked choke record,” Chiesa said. “I didn’t even know that was a thing until the Max Griffin fight. I had no idea I was up in the mix. I just assumed Charles Oliveira takes the cake for everything in terms of submissions, but after the Max Griffin fight, they said you’re tied for second with Kenny Florian, with Demian Maia at the top.
“It’s small things like that. If I didn’t believe I’m still one of the best guys in the world, I believe I could beat anybody at 170 pounds on any given day, that title aspiration is always going to be in the back of my mind – especially when I’ve been performing the way that I have been, especially in the gym.”
