Michael Chiesa has one main remorse as he’s gearing up for his last UFC look at UFC Seattle on Saturday evening. The veteran welterweight just lately revealed {that a} easy seating change value him a possible title shot towards Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
Chiesa is about to face Niko Price on the Climate Pledge Arena in what marks his retirement bout after greater than a decade within the octagon. The Washington native will get a becoming homecoming as he seems to finish his profession on his personal phrases.
The Seat Swap That Changed Everything
The remorse stems from the chaotic UFC 223 battle week in April 2018. Chiesa was initially scheduled to face Anthony Pettis on that card, however the occasion turned one of essentially the most turbulent in UFC historical past.
Max Holloway was initially set to problem Khabib Nurmagomedov for the light-weight title after stepping in for an injured Tony Ferguson. However, Holloway was later pulled from the battle, forcing the UFC to scramble for alternate options.
As per Chiesa, he had a possibility to face Nurmagomedov for the title however decided that in the end value him. Chiesa says swapping seats with Calvin Kattar prevented him from getting the late-notice title battle towards “The Eagle.”
If there’s one factor I might change, I want that I’d have given Calvin Kattar that entrance seat as a result of I’d have fought Khabib and that’s actually what it boiled all the way down to,” he informed Full Send MMA. “Calvin Kattar was sitting within the entrance and I used to be getting on the bus wanting sort of tough.
“I used to be like 5 kilos over after I was reducing to 155 and Calvin’s like, ‘Oh, you can take my seat’ and I sat within the window and my coach sat subsequent to me after which every thing occurred.
The UFC ultimately settled on Al Iaquinta as Nurmagomedov’s opponent, with Iaquinta shedding by way of unanimous resolution. Nurmagomedov would go on to efficiently defend the light-weight title a number of occasions earlier than retiring undefeated.
Final Fight Preparations
Chiesa’s authentic opponent for UFC Seattle withdrew attributable to visa points, placing his retirement battle in jeopardy. Price stepped in as a substitute, permitting Chiesa to compete in entrance of his hometown crowd.
I knew however I simply wasn’t positive. I sort of needed to attend for the UFC to announce it,” Chiesa told reporters on Wednesday. “With every thing that we talked about with the Seattle curse for me, I’m simply going to attend till they announce it so I do not get forward of myself.
The card carries extra significance as fellow UFC light-weight Terrance McKinney can also be competing. Chiesa famous it had been eight days from when he discovered Carlston Harris was out till Price was confirmed as his opponent.
At 19-7 in his skilled profession, Chiesa has established himself as a constant presence within the welterweight division. His retirement bout represents the top of an period for the “Maverick,” who has been a fixture within the UFC since his days on The Ultimate Fighter.
